Nurturing Diversity: Interfaith Leaders Host Joint Iftar at Lippo Karawaci Mosque

The momentum of Ramadan 1447 Hijriah serves as a means to strengthen social harmony in the Lippo Karawaci area. This is reflected in the joint iftar event that brought together community leaders and interfaith figures at Lippo Karawaci Mosque, Bencongan Indah Village, Tangerang Regency, on Tuesday (17/3). The event, titled Nurturing Diversity in the Surrounding Lippo Karawaci Area, was attended by around 300 participants. In addition to local officials and Islamic religious leaders, representatives of clergy from various faiths were present, ranging from pastors of the Western Protestant Church, priests of St. Helena Church in Binong, to representatives of Vajra Bumi Nusantara clergy. Director of External Affairs at Lippo Karawaci, Danang Kamalajati, explained that this agenda is part of the TMD Lippoland “PASTI” programme. The programme is designed to build community resilience through strengthening interfaith harmony. “This programme aligns with government efforts to promote interfaith harmony as the foundation of a peaceful social life,” Danang stated in his remarks. According to him, a conducive environment can only be created if there are harmonious relations among religious adherents. Similar appreciation came from the Deputy Regent of Tangerang, Intan Nurul Hikmah. She assessed that Lippo Karawaci has successfully become an example of a residential and business environment that upholds tolerance in its region. “The values of equality and togetherness are reflected in the involvement of various interfaith leaders in this event,” Intan said. This spirit of tolerance is hoped not to stop at mere ceremonial activities. Chairman of the MUI Curug Subdistrict, KH Ahmad Fadil, proposed that similar events be held routinely every year on a rotating basis among religious communities as a concrete form of social solidarity. Support for creating regional conduciveness was also emphasised by the Advisory Board of Lippo Karawaci Mosque and Deputy Chairman of Commission I of the Banten DPRD, Muhammad Faizal. He stressed the importance of the government’s role in facilitating harmony in the midst of society. “The most important thing is how the community and business actors can live side by side peacefully, upholding tolerance, and creating tranquillity in worship,” Faizal asserted. As a closing, the organisers provided operational and maintenance support assistance for various places of worship, from mosques, churches, to viharas. In addition, food aid packages and sarongs were handed over to religious leaders and the local community. Through this synergy, the spirit of Ramadan is expected to further strengthen the values of togetherness and peace amid the diversity of the Tangerang community, especially in the Lippo Karawaci area.