JAKARTA – Minister of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia, Nasaruddin Umar, appealed to the entire community to maintain harmony between religious communities ahead of the 2024/2025 Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“Let us maintain good relations between fellow Indonesian citizens,” he said.
Nasaruddin also invited religious communities to support each other in celebrating their respective big days.
“We support each other and respect each other’s beliefs, because differences are something beautiful, right?” he said,
The Christmas celebration will be celebrated by Christians on December 25, 2024, followed by the New Year’s Eve on December 31. The government, through a Joint Decree (SKB) of 3 Ministers, has set a joint Christmas leave on December 26, 2024, but there will be no national holidays until the New Year.
The celebration of the New Year will take place on January 1, 2025, in accordance with the provisions of the Joint Decree of the 3 Ministers issued on October 14, 2024.
Minister of Religion Nasaruddin also reminded of the importance of maintaining tolerance amidst the diversity of the Indonesian nation.
“By maintaining harmony, we show the identity of the Indonesian nation as a great and dignified nation,” he said.
The Nataru moment, according to him, is an opportunity to strengthen the values of togetherness and mutual respect in a pluralistic society.
In addition, Banjarmasin City DPRD members also invited the public to increase their sense of tolerance and maintain the euphoria of the celebration so that it does not become excessive.
Chairman of Commission I of the Banjarmasin City DPRD, Aliansyah, hopes that the Christmas and New Year celebrations in Banjarmasin will remain safe and peaceful, without any unwanted incidents.
“We hope that, just like previous years, Banjarmasin City can continue to be safe, peaceful, and orderly. We appeal to the public not to be excessive in euphoria and, if possible, to worship more. Let us increase tolerance to respect each other as citizens celebrate Christmas,” said Aliansyah.
He also reminded residents to remain vigilant during the Nataru celebrations, especially regarding potential dangers such as firecrackers, fireworks, extreme weather, and tidal floods that often occur towards the end of the year.