Maluku Governor Attends Halal Bihalal Friendship Gathering

Ambon (Antara Maluku) - Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu attended a Halal Bihalal friendship gathering both Muslim and Christian communities here on Wednesday.

Speaking at the gathering, Governor Ralahalu said the people should make make differences and diversity as a force to strengthen the brotherhood in the province.

He said the people in Maluku should not use the differences as a constraint to coexist in a perfect harmony.

"The differences and diversity is something beautiful that can be a force to strengthen the brotherhood in the frame of the  ancestral culture of Pela and Gandong for a betterment of Maluku," Ralahalu said.

Ralahalu expressed hope that the Halal Bihalal friendship gathering could serve as a momentum to give and receive forgiveness for both intentional and unintentional past misdeeds.

According to the governor, such a relation and peaceful coexistence should be reflected in a harmonious friendship and brotherhood in a bid to make Maluku more peaceful.

"Our bond of friendship and brotherhood should continue to be strengthened regardless of racial, religious, and ethnic background," Ralahalu said.

The governor reiterated that the Halal Bihalal friendship gathering could be used as part of the process of spiritual learning to exercise self-refrain, to control the passions, to be honest, and to be patient in the national and state family life.

Meanwhile, Maluku regional office of religious ministry spokesman Muhammad Attamimi said the Halal Bihalal friendship gathering in the province should continue to serve a power to strengthen the solidarity and togetherness in the province.

"The basic meaning of Halal Bihalal is that we have to firstly forgive others before they for forgiveness from us," Atamimi said.

He also called on Muslim community in Maluku to remain keeping the essence of Ramadan after a month of fasting.