N

urhasanah, 60-year-old woman, sat with 300 other people waiting for the azan call to prayer to ring out over the neighborhood, marking the end of the daily fast.

Since noon, chairs and tables had been arranged in front of the at the Manahan Javanese Christian Church (GKJ) in Surakarta, Central Java, stretching down the street in anticipation of the evening gathering. While women from the church community accepted donations and prepared hundreds of bowls of chicken soup and various other dishes, the men organized the parking for pedicab and motorcycle drivers in front of the church.

Young people from the church and students from Muhammadiyah University in Surakarta assisted women, children and the elderly to their seats and brought food to the tables as the celebration got underway.

The mood was jovial, but far from luxurious.

"This is the first time I have broken my fast here. As I was passing by I coincidentally heard an announcement of the loudspeaker that cheap meals were offered inside for breaking the fast," said Nurhasanah, who was with her daughter.

She said the initiative was great because for just Rp 1,000 (about 10 US cents) she could eat a variety of dishes, such as banana compote, chicken soup, fried tempe and rice crackers with a glass of tea.

"It's cheap, and the service is similar to a restaurant," said Nurhasanah, wearing a Muslim headscarf.

Karjo, a 55-year-old pedicab driver, said he was eating at the church so he could bring his family, who live in Sumberlawang village about 30 kilometers from Surakarta, a little extra money this month.

"I came seeking a living in Surakarta because with the drought currently going on, I cannot cultivate my rice paddy field back home," he said.

Pedicab drivers, who work long hours in the city for very little pay, made up a large contingency of the guests dining at the church, though there were people from across the community.

Muslims from all walks of life have once again been enjoying cheap meals to break the fast at the church since police lifted a ban on the church's activity Tuesday.

Police banned the church from providing cheap meals to Muslims' breaking the Ramadan fast last week, claiming they had received a letter of complaint from the Surakarta branch of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and other Islamic groups.

The ban was revoked when police concluded that no religious activities were actually taking place during the gathering.

"I am happy with the situation *lifting of the ban* because now we can enjoy the cheerfulness of Ramadan together with our fellow Muslim friends," said Rev. Retno Ratih from the Manahan church.

In an effort to promote religious tolerance and assist the poorer in society as they prepare for the Idul Fitri holidays, the church has been providing low-cost meals every day during Ramadan since 1997, when the financial crisis struck.

"We hope other churches will follow suit. Togetherness and understanding each others differences should be fostered, and intentions to strengthen the nation and brotherhood should not be hampered," said Rev. Ratih.

A local textile trader, Zaenal Abidin, said the church's annual humanitarian efforts were positive, prompting him to get involved.

"As a Muslim, I see no issue with this activity and believe there is nothing to worry about," he told The Jakarta Post following the Magrib prayers in the church hall.

Zaenal said he was considering volunteering for the organizing committee that holds the annual event.

"I think as Muslims we should appreciate such efforts and not worry about any sinister motives or "Christianization"," said Zaenal.

The fact many mosque groups and NGOs in Surakarta had come together to celebrate Ramadan was something Zaenal said should be praised and commended.

Surakarta is home to a number of radical Islamic groups, making such an initiative by the church, which ultimately aims to promote religious tolerance, quite rare and innovative.

The Ngruki Islamic boarding school for example, which was co-founded by radical cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, teaches students in Surakarta. The school is known for some of its graduates who have been linked to bomb attacks across Indonesia.