Moment When Gibran Joins in Carrying the Cross During Easter Procession in Kupang, NTT

Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, attended the Easter Procession Festival in Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Monday (6/4). On that occasion, Gibran joined in carrying the cross alongside several Acting Governor of NTT Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena and a number of local youths. Quoting Detik, Gibran arrived at the starting point of the festival wearing a light blue long-sleeved shirt and black trousers. Before starting the procession, Gibran took the time to interact and take selfies with the community who had been waiting since morning. He was also given a shawl by the Chairman of the GMIT Synod, Semuel Pandie, and a knitted hat from a group of people with disabilities. In addition, Gibran was entrusted to flag off the participants of the GMIT Synod Easter Procession in Kupang. Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka flagged off the 2026 Easter Procession in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Monday (6/4). The Easter procession was attended by dozens of participants from various churches in NTT. The procession activity took place from Tirosa Roundabout, Kupang City. Gibran’s Message In his speech, Gibran stressed the importance of unity and tolerance among religious communities for the integrity of the nation and state. “As a diverse and pluralistic nation, we need to maintain unity, peace, and the value of tolerance,” said Gibran. Gibran urged all parties not to make differences a reason to divide the nation. According to him, differences should instead become a source of unity and national cohesion. Gibran also advised the entire community of NTT not to be easily provoked by various issues that could lead to division in society. “Do not make differences a divider, do not be easily provoked, do not easily believe hoaxes; if there are seeds of misunderstanding, immediately mediate, clarify, and find a middle way,” he stated. Meanwhile, Romo Gerardus Duka conveyed a message of peace from NTT for Indonesia during the Easter Procession Festival. In that message of peace, Romo Dus—as Gerardus is affectionately known—stated that NTT is a community that continuously practises peace amid differences. “Message of Peace for Indonesia, from the Most Beautiful Island of Tolerance (a term for NTT). The people of NTT are a community that continuously nurtures peace, brotherhood, and equal humanity as taught by every religion,” said Romo Dus on Monday (6/4). The GMIT Youth Easter Procession in Kupang City, led by religious figures in NTT, supports peace in Indonesia. “Therefore, in the GMIT Youth Easter Procession activity in Kupang City, we religious leaders and figures in NTT convey a message of peace for Indonesia,” explained Romo Dus. Differences in religion, he said, cannot be separated. Peace in any situation is the strength to build Indonesia. “Differences are a gift from God; differences should not separate us because we are fellow brothers. In any situation, brotherhood is the strength to build East Nusa Tenggara and Indonesia,” he clarified. In living in peace, various problems can be overcome to advance civilised humanity. “With a peaceful life, we can together overcome economic, educational, social problems, and sexual violence for the realisation of an advanced, independent, and civilised society,” he said. In addition, Romo Dus also called for fostering solidarity and care amid global crisis threats and food crisis threats to be sensitive, share, and serve one another. “Only with collective care can we help fellow beings out of poverty and suffering,” he said. He urged that the unity and tolerance of religious communities can unite the Indonesian nation as a pluralistic nation in the spirit of Bhineka Tunggal Ika. “Maintain unity and tolerance; the unity of the Indonesian nation as a pluralistic nation must continue to be preserved in the spirit of Bhineka Tunggal Ika, Pancasila, and the 1945 Constitution,” he said. He also invited religious communities to tolerate each other and avoid division in building Indonesia. “Avoid all intolerance that divides and promote religious moderation to build a religious, peaceful, and civilised Indonesia,” he explained.