TEMPO.CO, Bogor - The Mayor of Bogor Bima Arya Sugiaro responded to a recommendation issued by a self-proclaimed Muslim group that demanding the city to not facilitate the Cap Go Meh festival. Bima asserted that the event dubbed 'Bogor Katumbiri Street Lighting Festival 2019' will still be held on February 19.

“Answering to the pros and contra in the society, we, as the Bogor city administration alongside with the police and religious figures, agree that Cap Go Meh is a cultural event,” said Bima Arya, Monday, January 28.

Bima explained that the event, which is a series event to celebrate Lunar New Year, will be continued to take place as a cultural heritage. It is proved to be a symbol of diversity and attracts tourists arrival in the city.

“The event is a symbol of diversity and so the Bogor Street Festival, Insha Allah (By God's willing), will be held,” Bima added.

Earlier, a group of people, members of Forum Muslim Bogor (FMB), issued a circular letter dated January 23, calling for all not to celebrating Cap Go Meh festival that they deemed would harm the creed of Islam.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) of Bogor City lamented and condemned the group for issuing a letter that prohibited Cap Go Meh Festival. MUI Bogor head Mustofa Abdullah bin Nuh on Monday said that the call potentially disrupts the religious harmony in the city.

MUHAMMAD SIDIK PERMANA