A carnival parade saw thousands dressed as Santa Claus march through the streets of Sorong, Indonesia, on December 1.

A number of Muslim residents also participated in the event set up by the army, police, and church congregations.

The event had been postponed for the past three years due to COVID-19.

Hundreds of groups consisting of thousands of people in Papua, to be precise in Sorong City, West Papua Province, enlivened the Santa Claus parade to welcome the celebration of Christ's Christmas 25 December 2022.

Not only involving the local community, the Santa Claus parade was also staged by workers from government agencies, students, students, private workers as well as the Army and Police and church congregations in the area.

The Santa Claus carnival parade was released by Acting Mayor of Sorong City, George Yarangga.

Participants in this Santa Claus carnival parade through the main streets of the city.

It was seen that the participants decorated their vehicles, both two-wheeled and four-wheeled, with Christmas-themed ornaments. It was also seen that a number of people used body blackening agents to blacken their bodies to make them resemble the Black Pit.

The annual event, which had been halted for about 3 years due to COVID-19, was able to hypnotize thousands of people to feel the peace of Christmas, through the Santa Claus parade which is decorated with Christmas knick-knacks.

Uniquely, in this Santa Claus parade, a number of Muslim residents also participated.

This is a symbol and momentum for religious tolerance in Indonesia which is getting stronger and as a unifying momentum within the framework of religious solidarity, as a reflection of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika.

The Santa Claus carnival parade also marks the inauguration of the Christmas Month in the city, which carries the theme “So They Return to Their Country by Another Way. (Matthew 2:12)”

The declaration of this Christmas Month is a form of gratitude and joy for mankind, in welcoming the birth of Jesus Christ the Savior.