On Christmas Eve, Gus Yaqut: I Am The Minister Of Religion For All Religions

JAKARTA - The Minister of Religion, Yaqut Cholil Quomas alias Gus Yaqut, made his first working visit by attending a Christmas celebration at GPIB Immanuel (Blenduk Church), Semarang City, Central Java Province, Thursday, December 24 evening.

The Minister of Religion arrived at Blenduk Church escorted by dozens of Banser members and was greeted by the Chairman of the GPIB Congregation, Immanuel, Pastor Immanuel Yorinawa Salawangi.

The Minister of Religion, who is familiarly called Gus Yaqut, was in the church for a few minutes greeting a number of congregants before meeting a number of journalists in front of the church in the Kota Lama area of Semarang.

The Minister of Religion emphasized that he was the Minister of Religion for all religions, not just one religion.

"I assure the brothers who celebrate Christmas together tonight that I am the Minister of Religion for all religions, not just one religion and tonight I am visiting our friends and relatives who are celebrating Christmas to share happiness with them," said Gus. Yaqut was reported by Antara.

The Minister of Religion also conveyed a message to religious communities to make religion a source of inspiration, a source of peace, and to spread love.

"Let us leave the assumption that religion is the norm of conflict for those who are different," he said.

GPIB Congregation Council Immanuel Ida Lomboan appreciated the Minister of Religion's working visit on Christmas Eve.

"The Minister of Religion is not of the same faith, but he wants to be with us. He ordered to maintain harmony between religious believers," he said.