TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The inter-religious tolerance exhibited in Manado city, North Sulawesi, deserves to be called a standard to follow. One of the most visible instances can be seen from a particular tradition held during the Ramadan month.
Muslims in Manado are used to organizing iftars (evening meal to break fast) beneath the Christmas tree. The tradition became intensified after in the last two years, Manado's local government joined forces with a Muslim private radio company in Manado to open a Ramadan culinary spot precisely beneath the highest Christmas tree in Indonesia. The tree nabbed the MURI record some time ago.
The location is open to public from 16.00 to 21.00, Central Indonesian Time. The visitors vary. It is common for Christians to also dine in the place to simply just trying the food or to accompany their work partners.
"Manado is indeed well-known for its inter-religious tolerance. One of the examples is, well, this tradition of iftar beneath the highest Christmas tree in Indonesia," said Markus Porawow, a Manado citizen, to Tempo on Tuesday, July 16, 2013.
ISA ANSHAR JUSUF
