Religious leaders from various faith groups take part in halal bilhalal celebrations, which are traditionally held across the country with the participation of religious leaders from different faiths. This year, such meetings come at a time of rising confessional tensions and violence.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) – The feat of Eid al-Fitri Mubarak, which marks the end of Ramadan, traditionally included halal bilhalal gatherings, which bring together religious and secular leaders from various faith communities "to ask for forgiveness, forget the past and hope for the best in the future."

This year, Jakarta Governor Yjahaja Basuki Purnama said that such meetings reflect Indonesia’s “ethnic, linguistic, cultural and religious pluralism.” Hence, “there is no place for bad feelings towards people of other faiths”.

A similar event was held in Kudus, in central Java, on 22 July. However, here celebrations were especially important as a way to ease tensions between Muslim fundamentalists and other faith groups in the wake of recent acts of violence, which included the torching of two churches in retaliation for an arson attack against a mosque.

Musthofa, head of the Kudus Regency, led the celebration. In his address, he downplayed the danger of “unfriendly acts” by Muslim extremists against minorities (especially Protestants).

In his view, the gathering "was a show of religious tolerance and harmony by the people of Kudus. In so doing, they are keeping alive the legacy of Sunan Kudus.*”

"We believe that all religions teach something good,” Kudus chief magistrate said. “We hope that what we do in Kudus can be an example for other regions."

Christians joined in the festivities, as did Hindus, Buddhists, Kong Hu Cu and representatives of indigenous religions, all of whom warmly welcomed the regent’s remarks.

What is more, a banquet that followed gave religious leaders a chance to forge closer relationships in a spirit of sharing.

For his part, Jakarta Governor Purnama talked about the country’s diversity as "a gift from God," reiterating the five foundational principles (pancasila) embodied in its constitution, which guarantee justice and social equity.

Such gatherings at the end of Ramadan are especially significant because Indonesia is the most populous Muslim nation in the world.

Increasingly, it has also become the scene of attacks or acts of intolerance against minorities, including Christians, Ahmadi Muslims or people of other faiths.

Regulatory means, including building regulations, are often used to stop non-Muslims from having their own places of worship, as was the case for the Yasmin Church in West Java.

* Sunan Kudus is one of nine Muslim holy men who converted Java to Islam.

• indonesia
• jakarta
• kudus
• eid
• fitri
• mubarak
• central
• java
• ramadan