VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOnews, Jakarta: The celebration of the 217th Anniversary of the Jakarta Archdiocese serves as proof of the Indonesian nation's success in nurturing and preserving unity and integrity, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Syaiful Rahmat Dasuki stated.

Quoting from Antara, Dasuki affirmed that the participation of thousands of interfaith and intercultural people in a six-kilometer walk around the Jakarta Cathedral reflects the well-fostered unity and integrity in the country.

"In this activity, people from different ethnicities are wearing traditional attires, reaffirming the Indonesian nation's passion for interfaith tolerance, unity, and integrity," he remarked at the Jakarta Cathedral on Saturday.

Dasuki expressed hope that all religious organizations and groups would emulate the activity to ensure the resilience of people's unity and love for the motherland in the midst of this era of rapid changes.

"The Ministry of Religious Affairs surely appreciates this event," he noted.

On the same occasion, spokesperson of the Jakarta Archdiocese Susyana Suwadie remarked that the commemorative walk drew participation from over three thousand people.

She said the participants comprised not only representatives of parishes in Jakarta but also members of interfaith organizations and communities in the city and surrounding regions.

"The number of participants (this year) is higher than that of previous years," she pointed out.

Suwadie then noted that during the celebration, the participants expressed their creativity by performing traditional art performances, such as Ondel-ondel Betawi and Reog Ponorogo.Furthermore, the spokesperson emphasized the need for interfaith communities in Indonesia to continue to build harmony, promote peace, and spread messages of love. 

She then noted that such positive values have been continuously endorsed by the Jakarta Archdiocese since its establishment on May 8, 1807. VOI/Antara