Donating the takjil, or light snacks to break the fast during Ramadan, was part of the task force's endeavors to express their love and care for the locals, Chief of Ujung Kipur B security post, 2nd Sergeant Fakhari Jamil, stated.
Pikere is one of the villages in the eastern Indonesian province of Papua that is situated near the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea (PNG) land border.
The takjil donation would hopefully foster the feeling of love and unity between task force personnel from the 122/Tombak Sakti Infantry Battalion and the native villagers, he noted in a press statement.
The Pikere villagers appeared happy to receive the takjil, he said while expressing hope that religious harmony among inter-faith community members on the land border area would continue to grow stronger.
Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims around the world, including those in Papua, during which they observe month-long fasting. It ends on the first day of the month of Syawal, marked by a religious festivity called Eid al-Fitr.
Muhammadiyah, Indonesia's second-largest Muslim organization after Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), has determined that Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, will fall on April 10, 2024.
ANTARA earlier reported that Indonesian soldiers stationed in Papua have demonstrated exemplary capability in maintaining peace and stability in the region for decades in their endeavors to safeguard the country's territorial integrity.
The soldiers are chiefly tasked with securing peace and stability in the country's easternmost region.
However, they are also living and mingling with members of local communities, which has provided them a glimpse of the challenges faced by native Papuans in their day-to-day lives.
For instance, Indonesian soldiers from the 125/SMB Infantry Battalion Task Force had recently provided free healthcare services to native Papuans in Kiworo Village, Kimaam Sub-district, Merauke District, South Papua.
Located on Yos Sudarso Island, some 129 kilometers away from Merauke, Kimaam Sub-district can only be reached by airplane or ship.
Related news: MUI lauds Papua police for maintaining peace, harmony during Ramadan
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Translator: Ardiles L, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Anton Santoso
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
