REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SURABAYA -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) invites Christians from all over the country to give examples of diversity to the world.

“We want to continue to set an example to the world that diversity is an inescapable law of nature. Religious differences, differences of views are more and more natural in modern life today,” the President said during the National Christmas Celebration at Graha Bethany Surabaya, Wednesday (28/12/2023).

But, Jokowi continued, the choice to live in harmony and compassion is a good choice that God has taught us that must be fought for and must be cultivated in the life of peoples and nations.

“In the midst of the challenges of heavy world life marked by the food crisis, marked by economic crisis characterized by international strife, even marked by warfare we must remember and be careful,” he said.

According to the President, strife, especially war, will inevitably bring about the decline of civilization, on the contrary, unity of harmony makes it possible to advance progress.

“We Indonesians are fortunate to be able to maintain tolerance in diversity in abundance. We are also able to maintain unity in the midst of perdition, we are able to keep Bhinneka Tunggal Ika we are grateful to have Pancasila,” he said.

Jokowi pointed out that Indonesia is a large and very diverse country because it has 714 tribes and more than 1,300 regional languages.

“I can talk like this because almost 85 percent of the areas throughout my homeland visit less 15 percent and I will finish later in 2024,” he said.

The spirit of being moderate in religion and placing the interests of nationality as part of that faith must continue to be fostered.

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