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Sun, 23 Mar 2025
JIMBARAN – Widiatmika Early Childhood Education Center reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a tolerant and respectful young generation through its Melodi Kebhinekaan (Melody of Diversity) program. One of the highlights of this initiative was the joyful iftar gathering held on Tuesday, March 18, 2024, a moment that served as a meaningful way to introduce the value of religious tolerance to children from an early age.
“We hold this iftar gathering because our students come from various religious backgrounds. Our goal is to instill the spirit of interfaith tolerance early on, so they grow into individuals with noble character and pride in Indonesia’s rich cultural and religious diversity,” said PAUD Widiatmika teacher, Ni Ketut Arcani.
The event involved TK A and TK B students, teachers, staff, and parents. It began with an interactive Q&A session on religious diversity in Indonesia, followed by a storytelling session about the history and meaning of Ramadan, delivered by Makaio, a parent who served as a guest teacher for the day.
To enrich their understanding, the children watched a short video about the story of Prophet Noah. As the Maghrib prayer approached, Muslim students performed the prayer, while non-Muslim students participated in a coloring activity featuring a mosque illustration. This moment reflected the school’s commitment to nurturing mutual respect and inclusivity in everyday life.
After the prayer, everyone gathered to enjoy iftar together. The meal included rice boxes, meatballs, chicken satay, fruit salad, doughnuts, and iced cantaloupe, generously contributed through collaboration between parents and the school.
“The students joined the iftar with great excitement. There was a genuine sense of warmth and togetherness. Through this event, we want to teach the importance of respecting friends of different beliefs and to build strong values of tolerance from an early age,” Arcani added.
She also noted how the values of Melodi Kebhinekaan are evident in the children’s daily behavior, such as respecting friends who are fasting and being mindful of one another’s needs.
Widiatmika is committed to offering educational programs that go beyond academics by nurturing inclusive, tolerant, and socially aware individuals. With a strong foundation of togetherness and mutual respect, the school hopes to raise a generation that truly embraces unity in diversity.
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