Joko Widodo Greets Christians in Bogor City, Hopes All Indonesian Celebrate Christmas Peacefully and Happily

JAKARTADAILY.ID – Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) greeted the Christians celebrating the 2022 Christmas in Bogor City, West Java Province, on Sunday, December 25, 2022.

President Joko Widodo accompanied by Bogor Mayor Bima Arya visited a number of churches in Bogor City.

According to a press release, he visited the Bogor City Zebaoth Congregations of Western Indonesian Protestant Church (GPIB) at around 09:10 a.m. Western Indonesia Standard Time (WIB).

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"I see that you are very happy to welcome Christmas this year," the president said to the congregations.

He expected that all Christians can celebrate this Christmas peacefully and happily.

“We should continue to maintain relations with each other, strengthen brotherhood, and bolster harmony between us," he stated.

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Furthermore, Jokowi continued his visit to the Bogor Cathedral Church.

"Let's keep maintaining our brotherhood together and strengthening our harmony for advancing the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. Merry Christmas, may God bless us all," Jokowi remarked before the Bogor Cathedral Church congregations.

Head of the Bogor Cathedral Church, Romo Paulus Haruno, said that Jokowi visits is a special gift for Christians.

"It is really a surprise and an extraordinary gift because there was no prior notification (of the visit). (The visit of) President Jokowi, who was accompanied by Mayor Bima Arya, adds to the joy of Christmas celebration (in this church) this year," he noted.

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Father Paulus also hopes that President Jokowi's presence can further enhance the spirit of religious tolerance in Indonesia.