In a heartwarming and multicultural display of religious observance and social unity, thousands of Muslims—primarily from Indonesia—gathered at Daan Forest Park in Taipei on Sunday to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan. The annual event, hosted by the Taipei City Government, showcased a lively blend of Halal cuisine, cultural exhibits, and musical performances, making it Taiwan’s largest public Eid celebration to date.
🇮🇩 Indonesia Meets Taiwan: More Than Just a Religious Gathering
The celebration was more than a religious festival—it was a statement of cultural integration and the increasing role of Indonesia’s Muslim community in Taiwan. With over 35,000 Indonesians living in Taipei, 90% of whom are Muslims, the event served as a space for maintaining traditions while forging meaningful cross-cultural relationships.
Many participants, like Ria, an Indonesian PhD student in public health at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), expressed admiration for Taiwan’s Muslim-friendly policies. Ria highlighted the growing availability of Halal-certified products in convenience stores like FamilyMart and the importance of dedicated prayer rooms on campus. “When I first came to Taiwan, I didn’t expect to find such an accommodating environment,” she said.
🍽️ Food as Cultural Connection
A central attraction was the Halal food bazaar, which delighted attendees with tastes of home, especially for those far from family. Food stalls offered traditional Indonesian dishes, alongside other Muslim-friendly cuisine, allowing people of different nationalities to experience the culinary richness of Islamic cultures.
For many, this was also a chance to express homesickness in a joyful way. Nobel and Restu, Indonesian students at National Taiwan University (NTU), took part in “halal-bihalal”, a tradition where Muslims forgive each other after Ramadan. While typically performed with close family, they recreated the ritual among friends in Taiwan, exemplifying the strength of community abroad.
🎭 Cultural Fusion and Performances
The event didn’t just celebrate Eid—it showcased the deep cultural exchange between Indonesia and Taiwan. Booths were set up to display traditional Indonesian art forms like shadow puppets and handmade masks, placed side by side with Taiwanese religious symbols, including the eight infernal generals (八家將, Pat ka-tsiòng), who are believed to guard against evil and disease in Taiwanese folklore.
Musical highlights included a cross-cultural performance by Gema Angklung, an Indonesian ensemble, who played “Tian Mi Mi” (甜蜜蜜), a classic by the late Taiwanese diva Teresa Teng, using traditional Angklung instruments. The fusion performance drew applause from both locals and foreign visitors, underlining the blending of Taiwanese and Indonesian identities.
🏛️ Government’s Role: Inclusion Through Action
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) attended the event and gave an inclusive speech thanking the Muslim community for their contributions to the city. “Taipei is a passionate, friendly, inclusive, and diverse city where people treat all ethnic groups as family, regardless of who came first,” he said.
The event was organized by the Taipei City Foreign and Disabled Labor Office, which aimed to strengthen mutual understanding between citizens and migrant workers. A city official emphasized that initiatives like these help integrate foreign residents and “promote harmony across different societal sectors.”
Indonesia’s representative to Taiwan, Arif Sulistiyo, also praised the event and noted how heartwarming it was to see Indonesian caregivers bringing elderly Taiwanese residents to join the festivities—highlighting the growing interpersonal bonds between cultures.
❓ FAQs:
Why is Taipei’s Eid al-Fitr celebration significant?
It is Taiwan’s largest Eid event, showcasing not only religious observance but also cross-cultural harmony, especially between Indonesians and Taiwanese.
How many Indonesian Muslims live in Taipei?
Around 35,000 Indonesians reside in Taipei, and over 90% are Muslims.
What cultural activities were held at the event?
Traditional Indonesian puppet shows, Taiwanese folklore exhibits, music performances by Gema Angklung, and a large Halal food bazaar.
How does Taiwan support its Muslim residents?
Taiwan offers Halal-certified food in convenience stores, prayer rooms on campuses and public spaces, and culturally inclusive policies at both the city and national level.
What message did Mayor Chiang Wan-an share at the event?
He highlighted Taipei’s identity as an inclusive, diverse, and welcoming city where everyone is treated as family.
