TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - City governor Anies Baswedan has visited Christmas Mass at Santo Kristoforus Catholic Church, Grogol, West Jakarta, on Tuesday, December 24. Anies arrived at the church with the Jakarta communication forum at 4:30 p.m.

Anies reportedly planned to visit the other six churches holding a mass tonight, namely Petojo Congregation of Batak Protestant Church (HKBP), Rawamangun Keluarga Kudus Catholic Church, Rawamangun HKBP, Cathedral Church, and GPIB Church.

“We are truly grateful that Christians, especially Catholics here, celebrating Christmas in happiness. May God bless you all,” said Anies during his first visit at Santo Kristoforus Catholic Church.

Anies said that he always wanted to develop a calm, safe, and peaceful capital city and equal opportunities for Jakartans. So he called on the public to have respect for and cherish each other.

“We say this every time that diversity is a fate from God, and unity is people’s endeavor. So this is our joint effort is to push for unity, and that what we are striving [to realize] in Jakarta.”

Additionally, Anies pinned hope a sense of unity could emerge from the interaction between citizens who have respect for each other amid diverse ethnics, religions, and races.

Anies Baswedan underlined that he provided equal chances for all Jakartans, which was evident from the permit of the implementation of Christmas Carols across the metropolitan.

“Hopefully, you are all able to celebrate Christmas in a calm and peaceful situation. And may peace be with us all,” he concluded.

IMAM HAMDI