(Minghui.org) The Batam Youth and Sports Office invited Falun Dafa practitioners to participate in a parade and cultural festival on December 16, 2023, which celebrated the city’s 194th anniversary. Thousands of people participated in the parade and tens of thousands of residents lined the parade route.

Mayor Muhammad Rudi and Marlin Agustina, Deputy Governor of Riau Islands, started the parade in front of the city hall at 2:30 p.m., and it ended at the Batam Center at Dataran Engku Putri. Participants included government agencies, organizations, and youth groups dressed in various ethnic costumes.

Praise from Government Officials

Led by the waist drum team, the practitioners’ contingent consisted of young women dressed as heavenly maidens and practitioners carrying balloons. Practitioners from Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam joined the event.

Waist drum team in the parade

As practitioners walked past the stage, the waist drum team performed “Falun Dafa Is Good” in front of the city mayor, deputy governor, and other officials. They applauded the performance and waved to the practitioners.

Zulkarnain HN (center) is the director of the Batam Youth and Sports Office.

Zulkarnain HN, director of the Batam Youth and Sports Office, was dressed in a Dayak costume and walked in the parade. He thanked the practitioners for participating in this and other events, and said he always wished Falun Dafa success.

John Herry, secretary of Batam Youth and Sports Office

John Herry is the secretary of the Batam Youth and Sports Office, and he thanked practitioners from Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam for participating in the day’s events.

Safitri was very impressed by the Falun Dafa practitioners’ performances. She said it was wonderful and she took lots of pictures and videos. Many people along the parade route applauded their performance, gave them a thumbs up, and took pictures.

Practitioners Receive Award

Falun Dafa practitioners were given an award.

To thank practitioners for participating in the Health Gymnastics activity, Zulkarnain HN, director of the Batam Youth and Sports Office, presented four awards on December 17 to practitioners from Batam, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

Hundreds of gymnastic members and students joined the event. Zulkarnain HN said the Falun Dafa practitioners’ performance was outstanding and he applauded them. Then the host suggested that all the participants call out: “Falun Dafa is good!”

Participants call out “Falun Dafa is good” as practitioners were given awards.