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series of terror attacks across the country, which has claimed dozens of innocent lives, may have shattered the hearts of many, but not the faith in a better tomorrow where people can live together despite religious differences.

At least that was the message of solidarity events held in several parts of the country following suicide bombings that hit three churches in Surabaya, East Java, on Sunday, killing 18 people and injuring around 40 others.

On Tuesday evening, hundreds of people from a variety of civil groups gathered around the Arjuna Wiwaha monument in Central Jakarta to pray and hold a candlelit vigil to express their solidarity with the bomb victims.

The participants, many dressed in white, carried banners bearing the hashtag #DiamBukanPilihan (silence is not a choice) and “Stop involving children in terrorist crime”.

They chanted “Fight terrorists now!” and sang national songs, such as “Indonesia Pusaka” (Indonesia, the Heritage) and “Maju Tak Gentar” (March on Without Fear).

In honor of the five police officers who were killed during a prison riot at the National Police’s Mobile Brigade headquarters (Mako Brimob) in Depok, West Java, last week, the participants solemnly sang the patriotic anthem to dead heroes “Gugur Bunga“ (Fallen Flowers) during the event.

The event organizer Budi Arie Setiadi, head of the pro-Jokowi, or Projo, volunteer group, said participants wanted to make it clear that terrorists were public enemies.

“Terrorists are enemies of all people who love humankind and life. We believe diversity is our strength as a nation,” he said.

The spirit of solidarity was also felt in Palu, Central Sulawesi, where about 50 civil groups gathered in front of the City Council office late Tuesday to pray and hold a candlelit vigil. They stated that they were not afraid of terrorism, radicalism, intolerance or violence that has haunted the country.

The initiator of the event, Edmond Leonardo Siahaan, said he hoped law enforcers could maintain security in the area. “We hope that the Central Sulawesi Police chief can guarantee security for religious people,” he said.

Similar events were also held in Malaysia and Australia on Tuesday.

Some 105 Indonesian citizens living in Canberra gathered around Lake Burley Griffin to express their condolences for the bombing victims and to pray together.

The event was attended by Caecilia R. Legowo, the wife of Indonesia’s ambassador to Australia, and the deputy representative of Indonesia, Derry Aman.

Previously, solidarity gatherings had been conducted in several regions in the country, such as Yogyakarta; Batam, Riau Islands; and Medan, North Sumatra.

Being aware of radical teachings that have infiltrated campus activities in educational institutions, Andalas University, Medan, and Semarang State University declared their commitment to freeing their campuses from radical teachings.

Andalas rector Prof. Tafdil Husni said on Monday that lecturers and students should disseminate messages of peace.

“It’s important for academics and students to spread the message of peace to fight radicalism in places of worship,” he said.

A group of Jakarta youngsters plan to hold Bukber Bhinneka.

Ayu Kartika Dewi, an initiator of @toleransi.id, a platform to create synergy in promoting peace and tolerance, said the event would be a movement where Muslims could break the fast together with people of different faiths.

Ayu, who handed white roses to people attending mass at Jakarta Cathedral on Sunday following the Surabaya church bombings, hoped positive interaction could be built on during the program.

— Suherdjoko from Semarang and Fadli from Batam contributed to the report.