Idul Fitri falls on Dec. 5: Muhammadiyah<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The country's second largest Muslim organization, Muhammadiyah,
\nsaid on Wednesday that it would celebrate Idul Fitri on Dec. 5,
\none day earlier than the date designated by the government.<\/p>\n
Muhammadiyah chairman Din Syamsuddin said that the difference
\nin the date of Idul Fitri celebrations was due to a different
\nunderstanding of Islam.<\/p>\n
\"This is purely a religious matter and the understanding of
\nIslam according to Muhammadiyah,\" Din was quoted by Antara as
\nsaying.<\/p>\n
Muhammadiyah, which claims to have around 30 million members
\nnationwide, is the second largest Muslim organization after
\nNahdlatul Ulama (NU), which has around 30 million members. NU is
\nyet to issue any ruling on the issue.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) appealed to Muslim
\ncommunities throughout the country Wednesday to accept the
\ndifference in dates for 2002 Idul Fitri.<\/p>\n
MUI chairman Ma'ruf Amin said here on Wednesday that Muslims
\nin Indonesia have to promote mutual respect and show signs of
\ntolerance if some communities celebrate Idul Fitri on Dec. 5.<\/p>\n
\"MUI appeals to the government to exercise tolerance to those
\nwho celebrate Idul Fitri on Dec. 5,\" Antara reported Ma'ruf as
\nsaying.<\/p>\n
He said such differences were normal and compromises were
\ndifficult.<\/p>\n
Muslims, which account for almost 85 percent of the country's
\n215 million people, celebrate Idul Fitri after fasting from dawn
\nto dusk for 29 or 30 days during the holy month of Ramadhan.<\/p>\n
The government designated Dec. 6 and 7 as the days for Idul
\nFitri celebrations.<\/p>\n
Din said such differences should not be debated or
\nexaggerated.<\/p>\n
\"Muslim people are becoming more mature and intelligent.
\nShould there indeed be differences, let's show our tolerance and
\ndemonstrate mutual respect to Muslims celebrating Idul Fitri on
\nDec. 5,\" Din said.<\/p>\n
He also urged Muslims celebrating Idul Fitri on Dec. 5 to
\nrespect fellow Muslims who still had to fast on Dec. 5.<\/p>\n
Celebrating on different dates, Din said, should be tolerated
\nby the government and the people by giving members of the
\nMuhammadiyah leeway to enable them to perform their Idul Fitri
\nprayer on Dec. 5.<\/p>\n
Last year, Muhammadiyah also celebrated Idul Fitri, known
\nlocally as lebaran, one day ahead of the date designated by the
\ngovernment and the celebrations proceeded peacefully.<\/p>\n
The government had extended the Idul Fitri holidays by three
\ndays on Dec. 5, Dec. 9 and 10 respectively.<\/p>",
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