Vice President Gibran Releases GMIT 2026 Easter Parade in Kupang
Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka released the Easter Parade of the Evangelical Christian Church in Timor (GMIT) 2026 from the PU Roundabout in Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara, on Monday (6/4) afternoon.
Around 5,000 participants from various congregations joined the parade, walking through several main roads in Kupang City, starting from Frans Seda Street, El Tari Street, Sudirman Street, to Moh Hatta Street, before ending at Kupang City Church.
In his speech, Gibran conveyed greetings from President Prabowo Subianto to the people of NTT and the extended GMIT family.
“On behalf of President Prabowo, I extend Easter Festival greetings to the entire GMIT family and all residents of NTT,” Gibran said.
Gibran expressed his pleasure at being able to attend directly among the people. He viewed the GMIT Easter Festival not merely as a religious celebration, but also as carrying an important message about peace and tolerance.
“I am pleased to be here among you all, because this event is not just a religious celebration, but also brings a message about the importance of peace and tolerance,” he said.
He also appreciated the Kupang City Government’s plan to promote the Easter Festival as a spiritual tourism agenda to stimulate the regional economy.
“From promotion, infrastructure strengthening, involvement of MSMEs and local communities, to the development of the creative economy, we must encourage this together,” he stated.
According to him, East Nusa Tenggara has great potential as a spiritual tourism destination, supported by several well-known icons such as Semana Santa in Larantuka, East Flores, and the Statue of the Virgin Mary on Nilo Hill, Sikka Regency. The presence of the Easter Festival in Kupang is seen as able to strengthen that appeal.
“If combined with the Easter Festival in Kupang, this will become an extraordinary attraction capable of driving economic movement and improving community welfare,” he added.
On that occasion, Gibran also touched on the global situation marked by various conflicts, including in the Middle East region. He emphasised that conflicts and wars always bring broad impacts that harm many parties.
“Conflicts and wars will bring setbacks, and there is a very high price to be paid, not only by the conflicting parties, but also by other countries,” he asserted.
He urged the community to maintain unity and not be easily provoked by unverified information.
“Do not let differences become divisive. Do not be easily provoked, and do not easily believe hoaxes. If there is a misunderstanding, clarify it immediately and seek a middle way,” he advised.
“No country can advance if it is not stable, not united, and divided,” he said.
Gibran also expressed appreciation to GMIT for its role in maintaining unity and its contributions to community development.
“Thank you for GMIT’s role so far in maintaining peace and national unity. Hopefully, in the future, we can continue to synergise in facing economic and geopolitical challenges,” Gibran stated.
Peace Message from NTT for Indonesia
GMIT Synod Chairman, Pastor Semuel Pandie, said that the Easter celebration is not merely a ceremony, but a testimony of faith that brings messages of renewal and hope for society.
According to him, the presence of the Vice President in Kupang shows the state’s attention to the eastern regions of Indonesia. He emphasised that the meaning of Easter is to bring peace, restore relationships, and foster hope.
“From Kupang City, known as the ‘City of Love and Harmony’, GMIT calls for the spirit of Easter to become a light for the nation, dismantling hatred, healing wounds, and building a peaceful and prosperous civilisation,” he said.
In his message of peace, GMIT together with religious leaders in NTT urged the community to maintain tolerance and unity amid diversity and to strengthen social solidarity in facing various challenges, from poverty to social crises.
“Maintain unity, nurture tolerance, and do not let differences divide us. From NTT, we voice peace for Indonesia,” was the message conveyed in the procession.
NTT Governor Appreciates Vice President’s Presence
East Nusa Tenggara Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena described the Vice President’s presence as evidence of the central government’s commitment to development in NTT.
He also appreciated the role of GMIT youth who are active in building society through values of faith, tolerance, and brotherhood. According to him, the GMIT Easter Festival becomes a momentum to strengthen togetherness amid diversity.
“NTT is a home of tolerance, where differences are nurtured in peace and brotherhood,” he said.
The Governor emphasised that the spirit of Easter must become a force to maintain unity, strengthen togetherness, and bring peace to society.
The Chairman of the GMIT 2026 Easter Youth Committee, Simson Polin, said that this procession serves as a means to strengthen togetherness across congregations and religions.