Moslems observe Idul Adha rite with passion<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Moslems gathered in mosques, open
\nfields, schools and office compounds yesterday to say the Idul
\nAdha (Islamic Day of Sacrifice) prayers.<\/p>\n
Besides the prayers and distribution of meat to the poor,
\nresidents of Balekambang and Batu Ampar subdistricts in Condet,
\nEast Jakarta, staged a traditional Betawi music, Tanjidor and
\nondel-ondel (Betawi puppet) show in celebration of the holy day.<\/p>\n
Most residents went home and ate ketupat (cubes of steamed
\nrice wrapped in palm leaves), after saying their prayers and
\nlistening to sermons from preachers.<\/p>\n
Some of them watched goats and cows being slaughtered as
\nsacrifices in the name of Allah the Almighty, then helped
\ndistribute the meat to the needy.<\/p>\n
The meat was a treat for struggling families who have not been
\nable to afford it because of skyrocketing prices.<\/p>\n
Ibu Mien, 42, said she was glad to receive half a kilogram of
\ngoat meat or beef.<\/p>\n
"Ever since the crisis, our family eats very little meat...
\nmaybe once or twice a week. We used to be able to afford it every
\nday," Mien of Kampung Muka, a slum community in Kampong Bandan
\nAncol, North Jakarta, said.<\/p>\n
The neighborhood received a donation of 12 goats and a cow. A
\nkilo of meat was distributed to each of the 400 households.<\/p>\n
Komari, a mother of two, said she had not had meat in her
\nkitchen for a long time.<\/p>\n
"We used to be able to buy a piece of chicken for Rp 500. Now,
\nthat's impossible," she said.<\/p>\n
"All we eat now is tofu, tempeh and sayur kangkung (water
\nspinach)."<\/p>\n
The city's high-ranking officials, including Governor
\nSutiyoso, Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata and Jakarta
\nMilitary Commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, performed their
\nprayers mostly at their respective office compounds.<\/p>\n
At the prayers held in front of City Hall on Jl. Merdeka
\nSelatan, Central Jakarta, Sutiyoso said that despite the monetary
\ncrisis, residents should maintain solidarity.<\/p>\n
"I'm glad that even in a troubled time like this, the city
\nstill manages to provide adequate cattle to be sacrificed on this
\nholy day," Sutiyoso said.<\/p>\n
The city administration handed over 1,503 goats and 296 head
\nof cattle yesterday to be slaughtered at Cakung slaughterhouse in
\nEast Jakarta, the administration's spokesman, Kamaludin Santos,
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The sacrificial meat was distributed to the city's lowest-
\nranking civil servants, cleaning service workers and other poor
\ncitizens.<\/p>\n
Sjafrie, who attended the Idul Adha prayer at Cilangkap, East
\nJakarta, gave the meat of nine cows and 71 goats to needy people.<\/p>\n
He underlined the importance of showing a sense of social
\ncohesion among the people and caring not only on Idul Adha but in
\ntheir daily lives.<\/p>\n
He also reiterated his message for all Jakartans not to be
\neasily distracted by rumors created by irresponsible parties.<\/p>\n
Hamami, who witnessed the slaughter of 96 head of cattle at
\nJakarta Police headquarters, urged residents and police officers
\nto distribute the meat equally.<\/p>\n
On Monday night, Moslems performed Takbir (where they repeated
\nthe words "Allah the Almighty" throughout the night). But the
\nstreets were almost empty.<\/p>\n
"Maybe it's because of the economic crisis. Only a few cars
\ntook part in the parades," a police officer was quoted by Antara
\nas saying. (jun\/02\/ind\/edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/moslems-observe-idul-adha-rite-with-passion-1447893297",
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