A Barongsai dancer performs in the Buddhist temple Vihara Hwie Ing Kiong Madiun on February 10th. Though the lion dance portrays power and brings luck, for many Indonesians, it has a deeper meaning: pluralism and non-discrimination. [Yenny Herawati/Khabar].

People from many religions peacefully celebrated last week the Chinese New Year, known locally as Imlek, despite some controversy over whether Muslims should participate.

The annual event was held on Sunday (February 10th). Featuring traditional Chinese costumes, dances, customs and food, it is widely considered more of a cultural celebration than a religious event. Some religious conservatives, however, say it contains Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian elements and is thus off-limits to observant Muslims.

Despite lingering debate over the issue, the festival was celebrated in many locations across Jakarta – including the Lautze Mosque in the city's centre. There, the area community celebrates Imlek with Muslim nuances.

Last year, it held a competition featuring Qur'an recitation and Azan (the call to prayer) to celebrate Imlek, according to Yusman Iriansyah, a 59-year-old spokesman for the mosque and its related Haji Karim Oei Foundation, which runs the Islamic Information Centre for ethnic Chinese.

The occasion this year was more low-key. People simply gathered to mark the holiday and enjoy special foods such as Lontong Cap Gomeh, a Chinese Indonesian take on a traditional Javanese dish.

"We leave it to our pilgrims to decide," Yusman told Khabar Southeast Asia. "Although we did not have a special event like last year, we still held a gathering in order to show our gratitude and to stay in touch with fellow Chinese Muslims."

Three musicians perform at the Lunar Spring Festival on February 10th at the Grand Indonesia, one of the largest malls in Jakarta. The traditional Chinese songs mark the arrival of Imlek, the Chinese New Year.[Cempaka Kaulika/Khabar].

Diversity in Madiun

In Madiun, West Java, Imlek was an occasion to highlight religious tolerance and co-existence.

"The Imlek celebration went very well," said Agus Hidayat, a member of the Indonesian Ulema Council's (MUI) local chapter. "The event was held by the Indonesian Chinese Muslim Association [Persatuan Islam Tionghoa Indonesia/PITI] of Madiun. All religious followers were welcome, which I think is good," Agus told Khabar.

"This is a good example of tolerance and open society, showing that we can appreciate other religions and cultures," he said, adding that the MUI did not restrict Muslims from celebrating the event.

Imlek participant Sue Ling Siau, 23, said this year marked the first time, to her knowledge, that Madiun residents crossed religious lines and participated together.

"I know that Chinese descendants in Indonesia practice various religions. However, this is the first time that Chinese New Year in the city involved people from different religious beliefs," she told Khabar.

"I think it is good to give an example to our young generation, showing that we are able to respect different cultures and religions and that we are one nation, Indonesia."

Arab and Chinese calligraphy hangs on wall at Lautze Mosque, which serves the Chinese Muslim community in Central Jakarta. The mosque is built and decorated in a Chinese style to help Indonesian Chinese feel comfortable there. [Cempaka Kaulika/Khabar].

Imlek symbolizes pluralism

Widya Artanti, a 34-year-old Madiun woman, told Khabar the celebration has a deeper meaning for her.

"For many of us, Imlek does not solely represent Chinese culture or any specific religious beliefs. We value Imlek as a symbol of pluralism and non-discrimination," she told Khabar during the event.

Widya pointed to the history of Indonesia during the Suharto regime, when Imlek celebrations were rarely permitted. "Even though it is not yet perfect, you can see that we are improving. Most Indonesians value pluralism as taught by our leader, the father of pluralism, Gus Dur," she said.

Under former Indonesian president and Nahdlatul Ulama leader Abdurrahman Wahid, affectionately called Gus Dur, Confucianism became the sixth officially acknowledged religion of Indonesia, alongside Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Buddhism and Hinduism.

Astrid Emmeline Kohar, 20, explained the Chinese New Year is a time for her to catch up with other family members.

"Not only is the Chinese New Year a symbol of awareness and love for many Chinese descendants in Indonesia, but also it is a time for family," she said. The celebration includes a tradition of giving hong bao, a special red envelope containing money, to unmarried friends or family members.