(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners were invited by the Batam City government to participate in its parade marking Indonesia’s 79th Independence Day on August 11, 2024. 

The parade took place at Dataran Engku Putri in Batam and was divided into two sections, a cultural parade and a decorated-vehicles parade. Government agencies, the Indonesian navy, and various local communities took part in the parade, in which 8,000 people participated. 

The Falun Dafa procession consisted of three parts: a waist drum team at the front, followed by celestial maidens dressed in traditional Chinese costumes, and finishing up with practitioners carrying red and white balloons representing the colors of the Indonesian flag. 

Falun Dafa practitioners participated in the Indonesian Independence Day parade in Batam City. 

Despite the heavy rain that morning, Falun Dafa practitioners were in good spirits and their procession was orderly and neat. The waist drum team’s performance was praised by spectators. Many people took photos or video recordings as the team walked past, and accepted the fliers about Falun Dafa that practitioners distributed along the parade route.

When the procession arrived at the VIP stage, practitioners stopped and performed in front of city government and military officials. The waist drum team performed the song, “Falun Dafa Is Good” before continuing their march.

Spectators Impressed By Practitioners’ Procession

Many people said they admired the Falun Dafa practitioners’ colorful presence. 

Puspa Riawati, a schoolteacher who watched the parade, complimented the practitioners for their endurance. “Falun Dafa group’s performance is great! Many of them are elderly but their spirit and enthusiasm is extraordinary,” she said. “I’m inspired. They are great.”

Puspa Riawati praised the Falun Dafa group.

Muhammad Fadil, who works in the education sector in Batam, said, “I’m surprised and pleased to see Falun Dafa practitioners here. Their presence is an honor for us.”

Muhammad Fadil said he appreciates practitioners participating in the parade.

People happily received Falun Dafa flyers and origami lotus flowers.

Award from Batam City Government

After the parade, the Batam City mayor, M.H. Rodi expressed his gratitude for the practitioners’ active participation and gave them an Award Certificate. This certificate was presented to a representative of Falun Dafa practitioners through the head of the Youth and Sports Agency, Zulkarnain. 

Head of the Youth and Sports Agency, Zulkarnain, presents an award certificate to a Falun Dafa practitioner representative.

Several media outlets featured photos of the practitioners’ procession in their coverage of the parade. Antara News Agency features the photo of practitioners’ waist drum team in their headlines. The practitioners’ group also appeared in Batam TV’s evening news. 

The Antara News Agency featured a photo of practitioners’ waist drum team in their headlines. (Screenshot courtesy Antara News Agency)

A screenshot of Batam TV’s evening news on August 11, 2024

Practitioners’ Waist Drum Performance at Mega Mall Batam

A day earlier, on August 10, 2024, the practitioners’ waist drum team also performed at Mega Mall, a large shopping mall in Batam City, to celebrate the 79th anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence Day.

Practitioners’ waist drum team performs at Mega Mall Batam.Practitioners’ waist drum performance attracts visitors’ attention.Many people happily accepted Falun Dafa fliers and handmade lotus flowers.

Many visitors took pictures or videos and happily accepted Falun Dafa flyers and lotus flowers with the message, “Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.” A group of tourists from Singapore exclaimed, “Look, it’s Falun Dafa!”