'It's the prayer and the visits that matter'<\/p>\n
The post-fasting Idul Fitri celebration, known here as lebaran,
\nhas been somewhat subdued this year as people come to terms with
\nhigher prices for basic necessities following the Oct. 1 fuel
\nprice rises. The Jakarta Post asked some Jakarta people what Idul
\nFitri means to them against this backdrop.<\/p>\n
Badri, 40, is a driver of a city bus plying the route between
\nKota in West Jakarta and Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta. He lives in
\nCiputat district, Tangerang:<\/p>\n
For me, economic difficulties should not affect our lebaran
\ncelebrations because the main things to do are to attend the Idul
\nFitri prayers in the morning and visit my parents, relatives and
\nneighbors.<\/p>\n
My wife can still bake the cakes served on the holiday for
\nvisiting neighbors and relatives.<\/p>\n
I won't be buying new clothes for my two oldest children as I
\ncan only afford to buy them for my 10-year-old youngest son, who
\nthis year completed the month-long fast.<\/p>\n
I am disappointed that the government increased fuel prices
\njust days before the fasting month. But an ordinary man like
\nmyself can only accept the decision because there's nothing I can
\ndo to change it.<\/p>\n
I only hope that the government will not increase fuel prices
\nagain, as reported in the media, as it would cause financial
\nproblems for us.<\/p>\n
Eman, 35, is an employee of a private sector firm on Jl.
\nSalemba Raya, Central Jakarta. He lives in Cipulir subdistrict in
\nSouth Jakarta:<\/p>\n
I will celebrate lebaran in my hometown of Cirebon (West Java)
\nas it is our tradition to get together with my parents and
\nrelatives during Idul Fitri.<\/p>\n
I leave for Cirebon on the second day of lebaran to avoid
\ntraffic congestion and Lebak Bulus terminal is not so crowded. I
\nplan to spend three days in my hometown.<\/p>\n
Of course, I have also been affected by the recent fuel price
\nrises. My lebaran bonus is only enough to buy new clothes for my
\ntwo children and our fares to Cirebon.<\/p>\n
My wife and I aren't buying new clothes this year. But we
\ndon't mind that. What I'm really concerned about is that I have
\nno money left to give to my relatives' dozens of children in
\nCirebon. Previously, we always had gifts for them.<\/p>\n
-- The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/its-the-prayer-and-the-visits-that-matter-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }