Moslem leaders call for patience<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Religious leaders urged millions of Indonesian
\nMoslems celebrating Idul Adha yesterday to remember the virtues
\nof sacrifice and called on them to pray together for the strength
\nto lift the nation out of its economic crisis.<\/p>\n
Perseverance and altruism were the common themes of many
\nsermons after Moslems gathered to attend their early morning Idul
\nAdha prayers.<\/p>\n
Thousands arrived at the Istiqlal Mosque in Central Jakarta to
\njoin President Soeharto and cabinet ministers listen to a sermon
\nby Ahmad Sukardja, deputy rector of the Syarif Hidayatullah State
\nInstitute of Islamic Studies (IAIN).<\/p>\n
In his sermon, Ahmad underlined the importance of unity and
\nlove for the nation which could be reflected in the strong will
\nto serve and sacrifice for the country.<\/p>\n
Also seen in attendance at Istiqlal was former vice president
\nTry Sutrisno. Try's successor, B.J. Habibie, did not attend
\nbecause he was in Saudi Arabia performing his haj pilgrimage.<\/p>\n
After the sermon, President Soeharto handed over cattle to the
\nmosque to be slaughtered as a sacrifice. The meat was later
\ndistributed to the needy.<\/p>\n
Idul Adha, the Day of Sacrifice, coincides with the 10th
\nIslamic month of Dzulhijjah. It marks the peak for those on the
\nHaj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Many people also sacrifice
\nanimals -- a goat or a cow -- and later donate the meat to the
\npoor.<\/p>\n
In provincial capitals, the most crowded gatherings for
\nprayers were usually ones attended by the governor or local
\nreligious leader.<\/p>\n
In Bali, an island in which the Hindu religion predominates,
\n15,000 Moslems attended prayers at Puputan Badung field in
\nDenpasar.<\/p>\n
In attendance was the head of the local chapter of the
\nIndonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and deputy governor SH Adnan.
\nAntara reported that 435 goats and 22 cows were contributed for
\nsacrifice.<\/p>\n
In Dili, East Timor, the head of the local MUI chapter,
\nAbdullah M. Sagran, praised in his sermon the Christian
\ncommunity's cooperation which helped ensure that the prayers
\ncould be held.<\/p>\n
Residents on the island are mostly Christians.<\/p>\n
"The Christian community in East Timor has supported us in our
\nendeavor. This shows that there is sound cooperation and harmony
\nbetween the different faiths here," Abdullah remarked. (mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/moslem-leaders-call-for-patience-1447893297",
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