Since 2022 the Carmelites of Sacred Heart Church at Kayutangan, Malang, Indonesia, have welcomed Muslims for Eid prayers saying such moves could help build brotherhood in the Muslim-majority nation.
On 10 April hundreds of Muslims prayed in the courtyard of the church as the nearby Grand Jami Mosque could not accommodate the festival prayer gathering.
Catholic nuns, seminarians, and lay people helped Muslims organize the prayer program and greeted them later.
Carmelite parish priest Father Henrikus Suwaji said the church provided the yard "because Muslims are our brothers." He said he invited seminarians and nuns to greet and congratulate Muslims and to show “togetherness."
"We will continue with this practice to maintain togetherness," he said.
Aris, a Muslim who goes by one name, said he opted for the church as the mosque had no space.
He said he was initially hesitant. However, he felt encouraged as Catholics welcomed him and his family members. "Church people helped us," he said.
Source: UCANews
