Idul Adha observed on different days<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Moslems celebrated Idul Adha,
\nSacrifice Day, on two different days due to different calendar
\ncalculations, a fact which did not dampen nationwide festivities.<\/p>\n
The Dewan Dakwah Islamiah Indonesia (Islamic propagation
\ncouncil) held the earlier Idul Adha prayers on Thursday, while
\nthe majority of Moslem organizations, including the 28 million-
\nstrong Muhammadiyah and the 30 million-strong Nahdlatul Ulama,
\nagreed with the government that the day fell yesterday.<\/p>\n
Idul Adha coincides with the 10th Islamic month of Dzulhijjah.
\nDifferent methods in determining dates have in the past caused
\nMoslems in various parts of the world to start the fasting month
\nof Ramadhan, celebrate its end, and celebrate Sacrifice Day on
\ndifferent days.<\/p>\n
Hussein Umar of the Dewan Dakwah said the different time for
\nthe Idul Adha celebration should not be a cause of friction among
\nMoslems. \"The council respects other people's conviction (to
\nhold) the prayers on a different day. There's no problem,\"
\nHussein was quoted by Antara as saying Thursday.<\/p>\n
Muchtar Zarkasi of the Ministry of Religious Affairs agreed
\nthat it was usual to have different dates for Sacrifice Day.
\n\"We've had such differences in the past,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher said in speech
\nwelcoming Sacrifice Day on Thursday evening that Moslem
\ncommunities now face many problems and challenges, including
\nthose in the form of riots stirred up by those wishing to plant a
\nwedge between people.<\/p>\n
\"We have to be strong and remain assertive,\" he said. He also
\nurged Moslems to thank Allah for their peace and prosperity.<\/p>\n
Festivities began Thursday evening here and in many other
\nparts of Indonesia. Mosques belted out takbir (praise of Allah)
\nwhile youths held processions in convoys of vehicles, beating
\ntraditional bedug drums all the while.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta yesterday morning, President Soeharto and Vice
\nPresident Try Sutrisno said Idul Adha prayers at the Istiqlal
\nGrand Mosque along with thousands of other residents. Cabinet
\nministers and foreign dignitaries also prayed there.<\/p>\n
Afterward, Soeharto donated a 850-kilogram cow and Try a 825
\nkg cow to be slaughtered and given to the poor. Across the
\ncountry, people flocked to various designated spots, normally
\nnear mosques, to witness the slaughter of cattle and wait for the
\nmeat to be distributed.<\/p>\n
Preacher H. Syafiq A. Mughni said in his sermon at Istiqlal
\nMosque that Moslems were being challenged to prove to the world
\nthat religion is indeed a balancing force for a civilization now
\nmarred with crises of humanity and spirituality.<\/p>\n
\"We are always expected to prove that Moslems are khairu ummah
\n(the best community) whose feature is a balanced life known as
\nummatan wasathan,\" he was quoted by Antara as saying.<\/p>\n
Topics<\/p>\n
Ulemas chose various topics for their sermons at Idul Adha
\nprayers. In Banda Aceh, the capital of Indonesia's easternmost
\nprovince Aceh, preacher Safwan Idris used the occasion to remind
\nlocal youths not to be lured by \"Zionist skepticism\".<\/p>\n
In Medan, North Sumatra, thousands of Moslems gathered in
\nMedan Merdeka field, where they also prayed for the late First
\nLady Tien Soeharto who died on April 28, 1996 which coincided
\nwith last year's Idul Adha.<\/p>\n
In Palembang, South Sumatra, preacher Azom Romli called on
\nMoslems to give greater contribution to national development
\nprograms.<\/p>\n
In the predominately Catholic East Timor, around 11,000 Moslem
\nsaid their prayers in Lanal Dili field. Ahya Ulumuddin from the
\nlocal office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs said in his
\nsermon that all Moslems should strive to contribute to national
\nunity.<\/p>\n
In the predominately Hindu Bali, prayers were organized at 24
\nlocations. Vice Governor Ahim Abdurahim was among the masses.
\n(12\/swe)<\/p>\n
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