No matter your religion, let’s break the fast together

Thu, May 16, 2019 / 06:43 pm

+ See SlideShow

/

Volunteers at a temple prepare tables for iftar for Muslims and anyone living in the area as a way to strengthen brotherhood and tolerance between religious communities in the month of Ramadan. JP/Donny Fernando
+ See SlideShow

/

Volunteers prepare the food shortly before the time for Muslims to break the fast. JP/Donny Fernando
+ See SlideShow

/

The meal comprises rice complete with vegetables and meat. JP/Donny Fernando
+ See SlideShow

/

A candle helps ward off flies from the sweet beverages prepared for iftar in the temple. JP/Donny Fernando
+ See SlideShow

/

The free food is not only for fasting Muslims but for anyone living nearby or who happens to visit the temple. JP/Donny Fernando
+ See SlideShow

/

Temple congregation members add crackers to the rice dishes. JP/Donny Fernando
+ See SlideShow

/

Each guest can take a rice dish and a sweet beverage. JP/Donny Fernando
+ See SlideShow

/

Diners gather together and serve each other food and drinks. JP/Donny Fernando
+ See SlideShow

/

When the sun sets, people form a line for the meals. JP/Donny Fernando
+ See SlideShow

/

Guests sit together on the floor in the temple's yard to enjoy the meals. JP/Donny Fernando

Donny Fernando

Tolerance is one of the keys to live a harmonious life in a diverse and fair community.

Volunteers at the Jin De Yuan Temple, also known as the Dharma Bhakti Temple, in West Jakarta are practicing this value by giving out free meals to the community during the holy month of Ramadan.

The feast is not only shared with Muslims but also with locals. Even foreign tourists visiting the temple can enjoy the free meals. Everyone is invited to gather and have iftar (breaking-of-the fast-meal) together with the aim of strengthening the kinship between the temple and the community, especially Muslims, and promoting tolerance.

The meals vary each day. On Tuesday, the volunteers provided iced fruit cocktails for takjil (breaking-of-the-fast-snack) and nasi kuning (yellow rice) with sautéed long beans, tempeh and fried chicken for the main meal.

Locals, beggars and guests were all served equally. They all received the same treatment and portions. That evening, everyone enjoyed their time together, no matter their religion. [evi]