K

ampung Sawah in Bekasi is unique in its Betawi cultural settlement. It is the first Betawi village where residents have diverse religions. Kampung Sawah, some three hours'€™ drive from Jakarta, is home to the St. Servatius Catholic Church. Since the last century, local residents have been Muslim, Protestant and Catholic.

This diversity deviates from the norm that Betawi people are all Islamic. Although there are different religions, the key to harmony in the village is to maintain kinship. There is a history of religious violence in Kampung Sawah.

Almost adjacent to one another are the Pasundan Christian Church, Servatius Catholic Church and Istiqamah Mosque. And all of them get along peacefully.

If it is Idul Fitri, there are always Protestant and Catholic residents on the celebration committee, same goes for Muslims during Christmas.

If the citizens of the Christian or Catholic Church wear a cap and scarf, they do so as an expression of the original Betawi culture. There is nothing contradictory there to Betawi culture, except to those who do not understand history and rush to prejudice religious identities. Kin relationships are not only through blood relations, but also through marriage. There is crossbreeding among different faiths.

Two weeks ago there was an annual charity event in the St. Servatius Parish of Kampung Sawah that is two decades old.

For the Catholic residents of Kampung Sawah, this is an expression of gratitude to God for blessings extraordinary to them.

The event was not only attended by Catholics but also by those of other religions. '€œIn previous years it has been attended by representatives from every religion here, Catholics, Muslims, Hindus, Protestants and Buddhists,'€ said William, who is from the St. Servatius Parish.

Robinson Sinurat
Jakarta