The sight of worshipers shuffling about and praying, surrounded by the red candles, aromatic incense and lanterns that adorn the iconic Dharma Bakti temple in Tamansari, West Jakarta, is a common one.

However, the scene at the famous Buddhist temple and popular tourist destination transforms completely on every afternoon during Ramadan, when dozens of people gather at its front yard to prepare iftar (breaking of the fast meals).

As the adzan (call to prayer) was heard on a rainy Thursday afternoon, worshipers and temple employees and volunteers quickly distributed takjil (breaking of the fast snacks) consisting of water, dates, kolak (sweet dessert made with coconut milk or palm sugar), tea and a full meal for temple passersby.

One of the people who received the treats was 42-year-old Karyati, who makes her way around Glodok every day to sell rempeyek (peanut crackers).

Hailing from Kotabumi in Tangerang, Banten, Karyati sometimes has to look extra hard for a place to break her fast on her way home.

“I was walking around here and found that there is food at the temple. They say it’s for free,” Karyati told The Jakarta Post on Thursday, referring to a banner just outside the temple that invites Muslims to break the fast inside the temple.

For her iftar, Karyati enjoyed a plate of rice, fried fish, fritters, stir-fried long beans and a bit of sambal, given to her by one of the volunteers.

“This meal donation is good and rarely happens elsewhere. Anyone who wants to eat can come here for free,” she said.

The display of tolerance was strong at the temple compound as people of different backgrounds gathered to dine together despite the pouring rain. The images seen at the temple that day stood in stark contrast to recent instances of intolerance throughout the country. In neighboring Bekasi regency in West Java, a group of residents recently protested a plan to construct the regency’s first Hindu temple.

This Ramadan marks the second year of the tradition of giving away iftar after the temple management started it last year. It was kicked off at the beginning of Ramadan and is expected to last for three weeks until May 29.

The activity was initiated by Muhammad Jusuf Hamka, 57, a Muslim of Chinese descent who was given the role of advisory head by the temple’s management.

Jusuf said that besides promoting tolerance, the activities also strengthened the temple’s relationship with the locals, especially Muslims.

“The reason for doing this is just humanism, and also to celebrate diversity,” he told the Post.

Jusuf recalled that he did not expect much when he started giving away free food last year. However, as enthusiasm grew among members of the temple’s congregation, volunteers began to lead the charge without requiring assistance from Jusuf as the coordinator.

Despite no longer directly controlling the flow of donations, Jusuf reminded the volunteers to prioritize buying food from local restaurants to support businesses in the neighborhood.

Lucas Tjang, one of the volunteers, said the temple prepared takjil themselves, buying around 300 to 500 packages of iftar meals from local small restaurants every day.

“We did this last year and this year too so that our Muslim brothers and sisters can break their fast,” he said.

The 40 volunteers that prepared meals on Thursday are also regular worshipers at the temple. Most of them are businesspeople who operate out of Tanah Abang and Jatinegara markets, heading straight to the temple in the afternoons after work.

Lucas said all the volunteers were happy to serve the meals to Muslim passersby and that the activity had also attracted more volunteers.

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