Hawzah News Agency  Bandung, West Java, Indonesia) - Amid growing religious tensions countrywide, a commemoration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, held by the Daarut Tauhid Islamic Boarding School in Bandung, West Java, on Monday, December ۱۲, highlighted the importance of respect for diversity and religious tolerance. 

At least 20,000 students of the Islamic boarding school, which is led by prominent ustadz (Islamic teacher) Abdullah Gymnastiar, attended the event at Gasibu Square, Bandung.

National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said he appreciated the celebration, which ran smoothly although it was attended by a large number of people. “Islam is rahmatan lil’alamin [a blessing for the universe]. It does not differentiate between people based on ethnic, religious, racial or intergroup affiliations,” he said.

Ahead of Christmas celebrations on Dec. 25, the police chief asked all groups to respect and allow Christians to perform religious services peacefully. “If Bandung is safe, West Java and Indonesia will be safe as well.”

Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil reminded leaders to always be careful about what they said. “Please pray for us so that as leaders, we can continue to restrain ourselves from saying anything that could offend someone else,” he said.

Tito and Ridwan were among the prominent figures who attended the celebration, which coincided with the 26th anniversary of the school.

West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan and his deputy Deddy Mizwar, Siliwangi Military District Command commander Maj. Gen. Muhammad Herindra, West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Bambang Waskito and Indonesian Ulema Forum head Athian Ali were also present.

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