By Aaron Ji, Vision Times
On May 2, Falun Dafa practitioners from Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia gathered on Batam Island to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day, marking the 27th annual observance of the event while introducing local residents to the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. This year’s May 13 observance also coincides with the 75th birthday of Falun Dafa founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi.
Held at Mega Mall Batam from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. local time, the event featured traditional waist drum performances, group exercise demonstrations, experience-sharing sessions, and remarks from local officials and educators.
Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, was first introduced to the public in Changchun, China, in 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi. The ancient practice includes meditation exercises and moral teachings centered on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.
Despite being peaceful in nature, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a brutal campaign to eradicate Falun Gong in July 1999. Since then, thousands have perished at the hands of Chinese police, with many adherents today still undergoing routine monitoring, arbitrary travel bans, and arrests.
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According to Minghui, A U.S.-based website that tracks and documents the persecution of Falun Gong, over 4,365 practitioners have since died as a result of torture and abuse at the hands of Chinese authorities. However, based on first-hand accounts from those living under perpetual harassment by the Party’s various security organizations, the practice’s adherents speculate the real number of deaths to be in the hundreds of thousands, or even millions.
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Commendations from government officials
The celebration was officially opened by Zulkarnain, head of Batam’s Youth and Sports Office, who said local authorities had worked with Falun Dafa practitioners for many years and recognized the practice’s positive impact on health and well-being.
“The people of Indonesia, especially the residents of Batam Island, strongly support Falun Gong because it is very beneficial to our health,” he said in a previous interview. “I believe more people should learn Falun Dafa because it is very beneficial to our health, and I hope more people can benefit from it.”
Zulkarnain also conveyed greetings from the mayor of Batam and noted that this year’s event drew more participants than previous celebrations.
Dr. Ardiwinata, head of the Batam Tourism Office, made a special appearance despite prior commitments and praised Falun Dafa’s popularity in the city. He recalled previously participating in a Falun Dafa parade and said local residents appreciated the performances and traditional costumes.
Matius Lase, vice principal of Batam State Vocational High School, also spoke during the event and emphasized the benefits Falun Dafa can bring to younger generations.
“Practicing Falun Dafa is highly beneficial to children’s physical and mental health and helps cultivate self-discipline and inner peace,” he said, adding, “Today, I am very happy to be here celebrating Falun Dafa Day together with people around the world.”
Performances and demonstrations
At around 5 p.m., practitioners performed a traditional waist drum dance accompanied by synchronized movements and music. Organizers later demonstrated Falun Dafa’s five exercises on stage as the peaceful exercise music echoed throughout the shopping mall.
One of the most emotional moments of the event came during an experience-sharing session, when 87-year-old practitioner Susan described how practicing Falun Dafa transformed her life in every way.
“Now I still go out every day to practice the exercises and tell people the truth. Every day I feel very healthy and comfortable,” she said. “When I was younger, I smoked and drank alcohol. I had many bad habits. But after I started practicing Falun Dafa, in less than a week I gave them all up naturally and never even thought about them again.”
Susan also recounted an incident that occurred before the COVID-19 pandemic while traveling through Hong Kong on her way to the United States. “All my tickets and identification documents were inside [the bag],” she recalled after accidentally leaving it behind in an airport restroom. “The cleaners later opened it and found my bag completely untouched inside. I truly felt that Master had been helping and protecting me.”
Reflecting on her health and longevity, Susan said, “At my age, I have no illnesses, take no medicine, and can still walk and even sit in the full lotus position. I truly believe this practice is the best thing in my life, and obtaining Falun Dafa is the greatest blessing and happiness I have ever received.”
According to organizers, many audience members were visibly moved by Susan’s testimony.
Group exercise session
Later in the evening, practitioners dressed in yellow shirts and white pants invited members of the public to join a group exercise session.
The atmosphere was peaceful and orderly, organizers said, describing participants of different ages and backgrounds practicing together while listening to the harmonious exercise music.
The Batam gathering aimed to introduce more people to the practice while also raising awareness about the ongoing persecution in China, including disturbing allegations of forced organ harvesting against prisoners of conscience.
Through the event, practitioners expressed hope that people in China would one day be able to freely practice Falun Dafa and uphold the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance without fear of oppression or persecution.
