Celebrating Idul Fitri away from Indonesia<\/p>\n
By Dewi Anggraeni<\/p>\n
MELBOURNE, Australia (JP): This era of information technology
\nhas created a global community in which people may feel
\noverwhelmed by the amount of information they receive. People
\nfind themselves in remove from events and having to sort out
\nadvantages from disadvantages, information from noise.<\/p>\n
In Australia for instance, Indonesian communities in cities
\nthroughout the country learned about events in Indonesia not only
\nfrom newspapers, radio and television, but also from the Internet
\nand e-mail.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, while the awareness of what is happening in the
\nhomeland is heightened, the remorse generated by the sectarian
\nconflicts throughout Indonesia is unavoidable.<\/p>\n
It was reassuring, then, to see that feelings of good will did
\nstill prevail during the Idul Fitri celebrations in Melbourne.<\/p>\n
The festivities began with groups of Indonesian Muslims saying
\ntheir Ied prayers on the morning of Jan. 8, followed by a
\ncelebratory lunch hosted by Consul General E.G. Rumayar and his
\nstaff.<\/p>\n
A magnificent spread of Indonesian food was served in the
\nvacated car park of the consulate office in Melbourne, where a
\ngiant marquee was set up. Indonesian music, some nostalgic, some
\nmodern, was heard in the background, while the guests which
\nnumbered several hundred, many of them non-Muslim, chatted and
\nsocialized. The mood was, without doubt, festive and friendly.<\/p>\n
People were seen still arriving after two o'clock in the
\nafternoon, when most of the guests had moved into the multi-
\npurpose hall for a performance of Sumatran dances. This
\nperformance was provided by the cultural wing of the Indonesian
\nBaptist Youth Group who were attending the Baptist World Congress
\nin town.<\/p>\n
None of the non-Sumatran people seemed put out by the absence
\nof a performance from their region. The lively music accompanying
\nthe modernized dances was cheery enough to keep everyone in a
\nfestive spirit.<\/p>\n
In the evening there were a number of private parties in
\ndifferent homes.<\/p>\n
Celebrations continued on Sunday, Jan. 9, hosted by the
\nAssociation of Indonesian Community in Victoria (IKAWIRIA) in one
\nof the Melbourne's community centers. Over a hundred guests
\nenjoyed the Idul Fitri lecture followed by delicious food and
\ndrinks.<\/p>\n
The lecture, given by Syafei Anwar, former editor-in-chief of
\nUmmat, a Muslim publication, exuded wisdom as well as warmth.
\nSyafei, who is doing his post-graduate program at the University
\nof Melbourne, reminded those present of the universal dimension
\nof the Islamic doctrine.<\/p>\n
\"It gives blessings to everybody, not only to Muslims,\" he
\nsaid. \"We are required to give to those, Muslim or non-Muslim,
\nwho are less endowed or less fortunate than ourselves.\"<\/p>\n
Syafei said he was appalled by the recent violent sectarian
\nclashes in Indonesia. He emphasized that nowhere in Islamic
\nteachings were there instructions to kill other people, or to
\nburn other people's places of worship.<\/p>\n
\"I don't think you will find it in the Christian teachings
\neither, or the teachings of any religion for that matter,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Finally, in expressing his wishes for Indonesia to achieve a
\ntruly civil society, he listed five necessary principles: the
\ncontribution of thoughts from its mullahs, intellectuals and
\nother experts; a just leader; a true and selfless devotion from
\nreligious adherents; strong discipline on the part of its
\neconomists and business people, and finally, strong discipline
\nand honesty on the part of its white- and blue-collar workers.<\/p>\n
Dancing, it appears, is in the psyche of Indonesians, because
\nat IKAWIRIA's celebration, the guests joined in the dance with
\nthe Roka tenda, a Portugal-influenced number, very much like
\nkeroncong music.<\/p>\n
As the sun set on the weekend, the Indonesian community in
\nMelbourne could anticipate yet another Idul Fitri party to be
\nhosted by the Indonesian Society of Victoria (PERWIRA), on
\nSaturday, Jan. 15.<\/p>",
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