Christmas is Perfect Moment to Celebrate Friendship, to Maintain Brotherhood, President Jokowi Says

President Jokowi attends 2019 National Christmas Celebration at SICC, Bogor, West Java, Friday (27/12). (Photo: Baim/PR).

Indonesia as a Pancasila state guarantees freedom of religion and freedom of worship for its citizen, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has emphasized.

“In this Pancasila state, we must respect and embrace the diversity in the spirit of Unity in Diversity,” President Jokowi said at the 2019 National Christmas Celebration with theme “Live as A Friend to Everyone” at the Sentul International Convention Center, Bogor, Java West, Friday (27/12).

The President also stated that Christmas is the perfect moment to celebrate friendship, to maintain brotherhood and harmony among the people, as well as to embrace the beauty beneath diversity that unites the people as a great nation named Indonesia.

“We do not wish to ruin the friendship and brotherhood that we have built hundred years ago by provocations that may divide us as a nation,” President Jokowi said, adding that some people try to disturb interethnic or interfaith peace by spreading hatred towards certain religion or ethnic group.

However, the President expressed belief that with a strong spirit of brotherhood and friendship, Indonesian people will always be able to face any disturbance. (GUN/HIM/EN/ES)

Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas