TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A joint goal celebration by Christian, Muslim and Hindu players at club Bali United, who prayed together after their team scored, showed how teammates should work together regardless of their faith, said defender Ngurah Nanak.
The photograph of Nanak, a Hindu, Muslim winger Miftahul Hamdi and Christian striker Yabes Roni praying alongside each other during their side's 3-1 home win against Perseru Serui this month went viral on social media.
Read: Bali United Shows Interfaith Unity in Goal Celebration
"We did not plan it, but fortunately it turned into a positive message," Nanak said. "So I hope it will have a good impact on everybody."
The 28-year-old said he had joined in with a traditional Hindu prayer gesture after he saw his teammates praying.
"I never expected it to go viral. Because we just wanted to show our gratitude to God, because we won that match," added Nanak, who joined Bali United this season.
Bali is a predominantly Hindu enclave in Indonesia, which has the world's largest Muslim population and is also home to sizeable communities of Christians, Buddhists, and people who adhere to traditional beliefs.
Nanak said his teammates respected each others' faiths and that helped in their game.
"Because in a team we are different to one another but it's important when we are fighting for one team," he said.
Bali United are currently fifth in the Indonesian Liga 1.
REUTERS