The young volunteers pay no attention to religious or ethnic differences as they sweep, mop and scrub houses of worship in the Jakarta area.

They clean mosques, churches, temples and monasteries on behalf of Berhati, a community group established in 2012 by the Taha Binsan Gransang Foundation.

The crews– made up of Muslims, Christians and members of other faiths– have since cleaned 150 houses of worship. Berhati started with only 25 people but since, has grown to 118-strong.

Volunteers range in age from 12 to 23, and their numbers have increased every month, Berhati activist Agus Suryanto said.

"If houses of worship are clean, people will be comfortable conducting their ceremonies," he told Khabar Southeast Asia, adding that a clean religious space also would help them with the rituals of their respective faiths.

Because the programme has gotten rave reviews, Agus said he expected the foundation to expand it. Berhati also does charity work ranging from blood drives, food banks and collections of donated school supplies, toys and snacks.

Open to everyone

The programme welcomes volunteers regardless of their religious or ethnic background, Berhati community co-ordinator Ardi Widiatmoko told Khabar.

The group develops tolerance and prevents discrimination by integrating its work crews and varying assignments.

"We purposely mix the volunteers and the services. For example, the Christians do not have to clean churches only. They can clean other places such as monasteries or mosques," Ardi said.

Sometimes the Berhati crews encounter a chilling reception because some people can be suspicious, Ardi said.

"But we just think positively. If they do not accept our sincerity and our service, then we look for other places," he said.

'Purify your hearts'

Among the volunteers is Stephanie Yuliana, a Christian.

"I can see that this community has committed to help others in a good way," Stephanie, who has volunteered for three months, told Khabar. The experience has taught fellow volunteer Pedra Hilmawan to be more tolerant, by his own account.

"I am a Muslim and I studied in a pesantren. This community is indeed a collaborative effort involving youths, regardless of their religious backgrounds," he told Khabar.

For his part, Ahmad Rosadi, a cleric from the Baiturrahim Mosque in Tangerang, commented that such community activities would help reduce future conflict.

"Hopefully, these good deeds will be rewarded by the Lord. Cleaning houses of worship will purify your hearts," Ahmad said. "Cleanliness is part of faith."