This Eid Al-Fitr is a momentum to improve religious moderation in Indonesia, especially in Sorong city, Southwest Papua province.
Sorong, Southwest Papua (ANTARA) - Christian members of the Maluku Harmony Association (KKBM) provided assistance in securing the implementation of the 1444 Hijri Eid al-Fitr prayer in Sorong city, Southwest Papua province, to help strengthen community tolerance.

The involvement of Christians was also aimed at bolstering brotherhood among religious believers, Pastor Stef Lerebulan said after securing the implementation of the Islamic prayer in the courtyard of the Sorong Mayor’s office on Saturday.

"This Eid al-Fitr is a momentum to improve religious moderation in Indonesia, especially in Sorong city, Southwest Papua province," he remarked.

The pastor noted that religious conflicts have often occurred in other regions, but in Sorong city, tolerance between religious communities has been well-maintained.

"It is because (the people of) Sorong city have always treated differences as the wealth of each belief," he said.

In addition to securing the implementation of the prayer, KKBM members took part in preparing the venues for the worship, which was conducted in three places, including by cleaning the areas and arranging the praying spots for each participant.

"We harmoniously live side by side with (other people from) other religions," Lerebulan said.

Hence, it is expected that this momentum will further strengthen the tolerance between religious communities in the city, he added.

Meanwhile, head of the Committee for Islamic Holidays (PHBI) in Sorong city Wahyu Daud noted that all the locations for the Eid al-Fitr prayer in Sorong city were crowded with Muslim residents.

He said that all activities ran smoothly and safely due to the participation of the military, police, and community organizations in maintaining public peace and order during the Islamic holy day celebration.

"Hence, on behalf of the whole committee, I thank you so much for your participation," he remarked.

Daud said that the involvement of other social organizations helped further foster inter-religious tolerance in the city.

He added that his party would also take part in supporting the preparations for the celebration of the holy days of other religions in the future.

The Religious Affairs Ministry had announced that the 1444 Hijri Eid al-Fitr would be observed in Indonesia on April 22 this year.

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Translator: Yuvensius Banafanu, Uyu Liman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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