"Let us continue to spread love and strengthen the building of humanity," Umar remarked on Tuesday.
The 2024 Christmas, themed "Let Us Go to Bethlehem," aimed to deliver a message on loyalty and willingness to follow God's call.
The minister elaborated that this theme is in line with the spirit of the Religious Affairs Ministry in encouraging people to practice their religious teachings. The closer people are to their religious teachings, the more peaceful and harmonious the world will be.
According to the minister, the further people drift from their faith's teachings, the greater the potential for harm to human society and the world at large.
"Let us make the Christmas celebration a momentum to spread religious teachings in the spirit of solidarity. This will bring peace and harmony as a basis for development. This can be the greatest contribution of religious people to the progress of Indonesia," he remarked.
Welcoming the New Year 2025, the minister also invited the people to reflect, contemplate, and evaluate their journey in the past year.
Umar expressed belief that through contemplation and evaluation, an individual can gain new spirit and optimism to grow in the coming year.
"Let us become individuals who grow toward positivity. The best (version) of us are those who are better today than in the past and continue to make improvements for the future," he affirmed.
Earlier, President Prabowo Subianto also underscored the importance of a safe and comfortable situation for the people to celebrate Christmas.
He had called on Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka to ensure this year's Christmas celebrations run smoothly, safely, and comfortably.
Gibran had also reviewed Christmas preparations in several regions and ensured the Christmas celebrations would run smoothly and safely.
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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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