Jakarta, December 25, 2025 – The Europe Today: Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka on Thursday morning joined residents of Salatiga, Central Java, to celebrate Christmas 2025 in the city recognized as the most tolerant in the country.
According to his office, Vice President Gibran participated in the Christmas celebrations at Pancasila Square in the Sidomukti sub-district, accompanied by Central Java Deputy Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen and Salatiga Mayor Robby Hermawan.
“Congratulations to the mayor for Salatiga being recognized as the most tolerant city in Indonesia,” Gibran said, noting that Central Java is home to three cities recognized for their tolerance: Salatiga, Magelang, and Semarang.
The 2024 Tolerant City Index by the SETARA Institute ranked Salatiga first with a score of 6.544, followed by Singkawang, Semarang, Magelang, and Pematangsiantar.
Vice President Gibran emphasized that his visit reflected President Prabowo Subianto’s directive for government officials to uphold diversity and national unity amid religious differences.
Following the Christmas service, Gibran personally greeted congregants, religious leaders, and community members at Pancasila Square, expressing his pleasure in celebrating the holiday in Indonesia’s most tolerant city.
“President Prabowo extends his warm greetings to you all. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,” he told over 10,000 attendees.
He urged Indonesians to strengthen brotherhood and unity among interfaith communities as part of a single nation, and encouraged religious leaders, including pastors and priests, to continue contributing to the preservation of tolerance.
Vice President Gibran also called on the congregation to pray for citizens affected by floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
The event concluded with Gibran presenting Christmas gifts to children attending the celebrations.
