VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin wished all Christians in the country a happy Christmas, and urged them to keep spreading kindness and love.

"To all Christians in the country, I wish you a merry Christmas. May the celebrations of Christmas show your gratitude to God Almighty, who always bestows His blessings on mankind," he remarked in a press release on Sunday.

Furthermore, he invited all Christians to keep providing goodness and compassion towards their fellow Indonesian citizens to strengthen the harmony and maintain the integrity of the nation.

"Let's continue to spread charity and love beyond the barriers of (cultural) difference, thus we can maintain (national) peace and closer brotherhood," the vice president stated.

In addition, regarding the 2023 New Year celebrations, he also called on the public to keep contributing to the development in the country by always maintaining optimism for a better tomorrow.

"With the help of God Almighty, certainly our struggle and hard work will result in equitable prosperity for all people," he expected.

Amin also appealed to the public to celebrate the 2022 Christmas and 2023 New Year in adherence to strict health protocols.

"Continue to maintain the implementation of health protocols, including in welcoming the new year, for the safety of all of us," he added.

Meanwhile, Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said earlier that the theme for 2022 Christmas celebrations in Indonesia is “Their Return to Their Country by Another Way," -- meaning that diversity is a gift from God that one must be grateful for, cared, and bolstered continually.

He also urged all Christians to celebrate the 2022 Christmas as a momentum to maintain the harmony in diversity in Indonesia.

The Religious Affairs Ministry had allowed the offline Christmas celebration in churches to be attended by 100 percent of the church capacity.

In addition, the churches could expand their congregation capacity for Christmas worship after receiving the police permit and notifying the local COVID-19 task force. (antaranews)