True Friendship Becomes Nation’s Spirit, President Jokowi Says

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has a dialogue with Christians at the 2019 National Christmas celebration, at Sentul International Convention Center (SICC), Bogor District, West Java Province, Friday (27/12). (Photo by: Ibrahim / PR)

True friendship has become the spirit of the nation for years through which our ancestors have lived together in peace and harmony side by side regardless of their different religious, racial and ethnic backgrounds, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.

“Those values ​​of brotherhood has bound our nation in the past, at present, and in the future,” President Jokowi said in his introductory remarks during the 2019 National Christmas Celebration with the theme “Live as Friends for All”, at Sentul International Convention Center (SICC), in Bogor, West Java Province, Friday (27/12).

By living as a brother and also a friend, the President continued, Indonesian people will be willing to reach out to those in trouble and to offer solidarity.

The President added that by living as a brother and a friend, Indonesian people can remind each other as well and to join hands to achieve the greatest goals of the nation.

On that occasion, President Jokowi also pointed out an example of the friendship of several national figures with different religions, including that one between Islamic figure Mohammad Natsir with Catholic figure Ignatius J Kasimo that shows the example of valuable friendship and brotherhood.

“Natsir always visited Kasimo’s house during Christmas celebration and vice versa,” the President said.

The President also cited another friendship between Indonesia’s fourth President Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid with Catholic religious leader Y. B. Mangunwijaya, better known as Romo Mangun.

According to the President, Pancasila’s values can be manifested in real friendship.

“Those figures did not question the differences. They had different religions and beliefs, yet they were friends like brothers,” he said.

President Jokowi also expressed hope that Indonesian people can maintain togetherness, brotherhood, and friendship because there will always be those who try to disturb the peace of relations between groups, people of different faiths, and the harmony of the nation, as well as spread hate speeches and intolerance among the people

“I believe that we can face those challenges with a strong spirit of brotherhood and friendship,” he added. (EN / GUN / HIM)

Translated by: Syarifah Aisyah
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas