PEKANBARU - The interfaith arts and culture festival was officially held at the Idrus Tintin Purna MTQ Art Pavilion, Jalan Jenderal Sudirman, Pekanbaru, Tuesday (1/10/2024) afternoon. This event carries the theme "Grounding Tolerance and Harmony of Religious Communities Within the Framework of the Republic of Indonesia in the Land of Lancang Kuning".

This festival is a collaboration between the Riau Provincial Government, the Riau Police, the Riau Interfaith Extension Working Group and the Riau Interfaith Subject Teacher Deliberation Working Group (MGMP).

Monitoring by the Riau Media Center, hundreds of people took part in enlivening the festival activities, ranging from community organizations, religious extension workers and so on.

The performing arts shown include music and dance performances, nasyid performances, khatam Al-Quran, art activities, Riau Malay food exhibitions and other activities.

The Interfaith Arts and Culture Festival was attended by people from Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Buddhism, and Hinduism by presenting various cultures from each religion.

In his remarks, the Acting Governor of Riau, represented by the Head of the Riau Province People's Welfare Bureau, Imron Rosyadi, welcomed this interfaith arts and culture festival.

Moreover, the activity was held to coincide with Pancasila Sanctity Day on October 1, 2024. Imron Rosyidi hopes that this event will become a routine agenda every year.

"This festival is an activity whose momentum coincides with October 1, Pancasila Sanctity Day, which of course we really support and appreciate, we hope this event can continue," he said.

He also said that this festival is part of an effort to create a more peaceful and harmonious Indonesia in the future.

"This Interfaith Arts and Culture Festival not only celebrates diversity, but also functions as a platform to strengthen unity in our diverse society," said Imron.

According to him, the Festival is a symbol of unity and a real effort to strengthen tolerance between religious communities.

"This event is also a form of proof that religious differences are not a barrier to jointly creating harmony and peace in society," he explained.

 (Mediacenter Riau/nb)