Sentani – As the 2024 Christmas celebration approaches, the Jayapura Regency Government in Papua has called on the local community to maintain religious harmony in order to create a safe and peaceful atmosphere.
Semuel Siriwa, the Acting Regent of Jayapura, emphasized the importance of cooperation among all community members to preserve harmony, particularly during Christmas, which holds deep significance for Christians, especially in Papua. “Religious harmony must be continually upheld, and this is a shared responsibility,” Siriwa said in Sentani on Saturday.
Siriwa added that the Forum for Religious Harmony (FKUB) has consistently reminded the public of the importance of fostering unity through messages delivered in places of worship. Religious leaders from various faiths, including Islam, Christianity, Catholicism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, are expected to collaborate to ensure a peaceful environment.
Furthermore, the Acting Regent stressed the crucial role of religious and cultural leaders in maintaining a conducive atmosphere as Christmas approaches. He reminded that Christmas celebrations should not be associated with events that could lead to security disruptions, such as alcohol consumption.
The Regent also urged village heads and community leaders to strengthen communication with security forces, including the Indonesian National Military (TNI) and the National Police (Polri). This collaboration is vital to swiftly address any security threats, ensuring that Christmas 2024 in Jayapura is celebrated safely, smoothly, and peacefully.
“Through good coordination between the community and security forces, we hope that Christmas 2024 in Jayapura will be a time filled with love, safety, and meaningful moments for everyone,” he concluded.
