President Asks Minister Of Religion To Prepare Optimal National Christmas Celebration 2023

ILLUSTRATION PHOTO VIA BETWEEN

JAKARTA - Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas hopes that the 2023 National Christmas celebration which will be held on December 27, 2023 in Surabaya, East Java, will give a deep impression on Christians.

"The president hopes that we will prepare this National Christmas well, with well performance, and can become something that is memorable. So it can really be remembered and remembered throughout time, not only by Christians, I think, but also by the Indonesian people in general," said Minister of Religion Yaqut as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, December 4.

The 2023 National Christmas celebration is expected to be attended by 30 thousand Christians. This year's National Christmas will carry the theme "Glory to Allah and Prosperous Peace on Earth (Lukas 2:14)".

The theme, he said, had been decided in accordance with the Christmas message of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) and the Indonesian Bishops' Conference (KWI).

"This Christmas message is our spirit in the midst of a political year which I think should also be our concern," said the Minister of Religion.

The Minister of Religion said that his party had also issued a Decree of the Minister of Religion (KMA) regarding the implementation of the 2023 National Christmas.

"One of the contents of the KMA is asking for the willingness of the Minister of Communication and Information Budi Arie Setiadi to become the General Chair of the 2023 National Christmas Celebration," said the Minister of Religion.

He encouraged the involvement of all religious communities in this national Christmas celebration. The involvement of community organizations such as Banser, Kokam, and others is important in securing the celebration procession.

"This is interesting for us to be able to show the public and the world that Christians in Indonesia are very open to differences, backgrounds, and diversity that have become a destiny for Indonesia," he said.

In line with the Minister of Religion, Minister of Communication and Information Budi Arie Setiadi hopes that the 2023 National Christmas celebration will be a momentum to be able to show Indonesia's plurality and diversity.

"We hope that the National Christmas celebration can be memorable, can provide colors and messages that Indonesia is so pluralistic, so Bhitneka is in accordance with Indonesian destiny," he said.