A time for purification<\/p>\n
By the time this issue reaches our readers, the tens of
\nthousands of people who in the past few days have patiently
\nendured all the inconveniences of a long journey home will
\nhopefully have arrived at their destinations sound in body and
\nrefreshed in mind.<\/p>\n
After a year of toiling in the capital to provide their
\nfamilies with a decent life, these people certainly are entitled
\nto celebrate Idul Fitri, which marks the end of the fasting month
\nof Ramadhan, in their hometowns and villages, together with all
\nthose who are closest to their hearts.<\/p>\n
It has indeed been sad to learn that not all Idul Fitri
\ntravelers reached their destinations safely. Some were killed or
\ninjured on their way home in road accidents. Many more fell
\nvictim to the crooks and criminals who are always ready to take
\nadvantage of the confusion that accompanies such big events.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, in the joyous mood of the occasion, it is
\neasy to forget what Idul Fitri really stands for. For millions of
\nIndonesians, Idul Fitri, or Lebaran as it is generally known
\nhere, is little more than a festive time of the year during which
\nworkers receive bonuses and are allowed to go on extended
\nholidays.<\/p>\n
For shopkeepers and roadside vendors it is a time when great
\nprofits are there for the taking from people who traditionally
\nspend a great deal of money buying new clothes, shoes and other
\nitems for the holiday. Capitalizing on the tradition among
\nIndonesians to visit each other during the holiday to ask for
\nforgiveness for past wrongdoings, food sellers, cake shops and
\nbakeries too normally see their profits jump during Lebaran.<\/p>\n
In other words, the inexorable process of commercialization
\nhas affected Idul Fitri as it has affected probably almost every
\nother great religious and spiritual holiday in the modern world.
\nIn the process, the true spirit of Idul Fitri has become more and
\nmore obscured, to the point that today little of it can be
\nobserved. Proof of this is not difficult to find in everyday
\nlife.<\/p>\n
Idul Fitri literally means a return to human fitrah, or
\nnature, through the process of purification. Fittingly, Idul
\nFitri marks the end of Islam's holy month of Ramadhan, during
\nwhich people are instructed to observe a month-long fast in the
\nservice of Allah, the All-Powerful, All-Merciful.<\/p>\n
Yet, as is all too clear for everyone to see, corruption goes
\non unabated all through this sacred period and injustices and
\nacts of violence continue to be committed. Many people even take
\nadvantage of the confusion that invariably exists around the Idul
\nFitri holiday to fleece their fellow human beings.<\/p>\n
All this, of course, is not to promote puritanism in
\nIndonesia. As we said before, after a year of hard work
\nIndonesians are entitled to a few pleasures, including a reunion
\nwith friends and family back home. At the same time, however, it
\nwould certainly do the country good if Indonesians paid greater
\nheed to the true message of Idul Fitri.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-time-for-purification-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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