"Differences are our strength, not a divider," the General said while speaking before thousands of people attending United Nusantara Roll Call, in the National Monument (Monas), on Wednesday.
All Indonesians, from Sabang to Merauke, are members of one family; therefore, they must strengthen and maintain the NKRI and its brotherhood, he added.
The National Police supported the United Nusantara assembly, initiated by Commander of the Indonesian Defense Forced (TNI) General Gatot Nurmantyo, because the police believe that unity could maintain NKRI.
"Similar activities were organized across Indonesia by TNI and supported by the National Police. Therefore, we ask the nation to pray for the unity of NKRI," he remarked.
Karnavian and Nurmantyo were wearing red-and-white headbands similar to the other participants of the event.
The assembly, aimed at strengthening the sense of unity and integrity of the nation, was participated by prominent religious figures, ulemas, students, musicians, youths and other elements of the nation.
Some 40 thousand people were expected to attend the event in Monas.
Social Affairs Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa gave a speech on "United Nusantara, Indonesia is Mine, Indonesia is Yours, Indonesia belongs to All of Us. Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity)."
The gathering was also attended by the acting Governor of Jakarta Soni Sumarsono, Habib Nabil of Majelis Rasulullah SAW mass organization, Chairman of the Central Java Ulemas Council (MUI) M Lutfi bin Ali Yahya, daughter of former president Yenny Wahid, and prominent figure of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Ahmad Mustofa Bisri (Gus Mus).
During the event, the participants chanted the national anthem.
Nurmantyo urged the nation to pray for a peaceful and beautiful Indonesia.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
