Rano: Holding the Nyepi Festival an Effort to Strengthen Religious Tolerance

Raising the Nyepi Festival aims to strengthen harmony and tolerance among adherents of different religions amid Jakarta’s diverse society. Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Nyepi Festival at Bundaran Hotel Indonesia (HI), Central Jakarta, which is the result of a collaboration between Suka Duka Hindu Dharma Jakarta Raya and Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI) Province of DKI Jakarta, is an effort to strengthen interfaith tolerance.

‘This activity is part of an effort to strengthen harmony and tolerance among followers of different religions in the midst of Jakarta’s diversity,’ said Deputy Governor Rano Karno when giving a speech in Jakarta on Sunday.

The event also featured a cultural parade and ogoh-ogoh procession to welcome Nyepi Day, Saka New Year 1948.

Rano, who attended with Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung, noted that the ogoh-ogoh traditions paraded in a single cultural parade from the National Monument (Monas) area to Bundaran HI not only carry spiritual meaning but also strong cultural values.

Rano also hopes the event can be an entertainment for Jakarta residents while inspiring respect for cultural diversity.

‘We wish Hindu communities in Jakarta and across Indonesia a Happy Nyepi. May this celebration bring peace, be a moment of self-reflection, and strengthen unity in Jakarta,’ he said.