Peace reigns during Idul Fitri<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Tens of millions of Muslims throughout the country celebrated
\nthe post-fasting Idul Fitri festivities peacefully on Sunday,
\nwith Muslims in the volatile towns of Ambon in Maluku and Poso in
\nCentral Sulawesi performing their Idul Fitri prayers without any
\nreported disturbances.<\/p>\n
Thousands of Muslims in Ambon town performed the Idul Fitri
\nprayer at 7 a.m. at Al Fatah Grand Mosque under tight security.<\/p>\n
During the Idul Fitri prayers, police personnel and soldiers
\nstood guard at virtually all mosques and churches in the town,
\nwhere religious clashes have claimed thousands of lives over the
\nlast three years.<\/p>\n
The prayers, which were led by Ahmad Bantam, were also
\nattended by Maluku Governor M.S. Latuconsina, along with high-
\nranking local government officials.<\/p>\n
For the Islamic faithful, performing the Idul Fitri prayers is
\nessential to show gratitude to God following the chance to purify
\nduring the fasting month, Ramadhan. Indonesia is the world's most
\npopulous Muslim country.<\/p>\n
Peace also prevailed in Poso, Central Sulawesi province, where
\nfighting stemming from sectarian differences has killed more than
\none thousand people since it broke out in 1998.<\/p>\n
Instead, there was only harmony as tens of thousands of
\nMuslims, coming from the town and its surrounding areas, flocked
\nto mosques and soccer fields to perform the Idul Fitri prayers.<\/p>\n
In the restive province of Aceh, Idul Fitri prayers also went
\npeacefully, with Governor Abdullah Puteh inviting fellow Muslims
\nto reconcile, if nothing else, for the sake of forging a more
\ntolerant, civil society.<\/p>\n
\"With the wisdom of Idul Fitri, let's create a reconciliation
\nin all aspects of life, for the sake of the creation of a civil
\nsociety in Nanggroe Aceh Darrussalam,\" he said at the
\nBaiturrahman grand mosque on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The Idul Fitri celebration in Palangkaraya, Central
\nKalimantan, where ethnic conflict also broke out early this year,
\ntook place in a peaceful atmosphere, too.<\/p>\n
Local Muslim communities organized a series of religious
\nactivities and traditions, including meeting and greeting friends
\nand\/or relatives.<\/p>\n
Governor Asmawi Agani welcomed local officials, public figures
\nand children from orphanages.<\/p>\n
In the capital city, Jakarta, Idul Fitri prayers were
\nperformed solemnly on Sunday morning.<\/p>\n
The prayers, which commenced simultaneously at around 7 a.m.,
\nwere performed in mosques and soccer fields in some areas.<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Vice President Hamzah Haz
\njoined thousands of Muslims at the Istiqlal Mosque in Central
\nJakarta. Foreign diplomats, legislators, and Cabinet members were
\namong those in attendance.<\/p>\n
Sunday's Idul Fitri prayer at the Istiqlal Grand Mosque was
\nled by Mirwan Batubara, the country's former best Koran reciter,
\nand the Idul Fitri sermon was delivered by Muslimin Nasution, a
\nlecturer of the postgraduate department at the state Institute of
\nIslamic Studies (IAIN) Syarif Hidayatullah, Jakarta.<\/p>\n
After the prayers, Megawati left the Istiqlal Mosque and
\nheaded straight for Merdeka Palace, where she received guests and
\nmembers of the public, who wished to convey their Idul Fitri
\ngreetings to the first family.<\/p>\n
On the eve of the Idul Fitri festivity, Megawati, Hamzah and
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais attended the
\ntabligh akbar (mass gathering) service at National Monument
\nsquare in Central Jakarta. Several top singers also took part in
\nthe ritual.<\/p>\n
Former president Abdurrahman \"Gus Dur\" Wahid performed the
\nIdul Fitri prayer at Al-Munawaroh mosque located inside his
\nresidential compound in the suburb of Ciganjur, South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
In his remarks, Gus Dur said that, in celebrating this year's
\nIdul Fitri, Indonesian Muslims were weeping due to the prolonged
\neconomic crisis.<\/p>\n
\"I have observed that, in some markets, the most sold items
\nare only children's wear. (Although hit by economic crisis) as
\nMuslims, we have to praise the Idul Fitri,\" Gus Dur said, as
\nquoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
The prayer session had an audience of at least 1,000 Muslims
\nhailing from nearby areas, including Depok and Pasar Minggu.
\nNahdlatul Ulama figure Said Aqil Siradj led the prayers.<\/p>\n
Unlike in previous years, Idul Fitri prayers were performed
\nquietly at the residence of ailing former president Soeharto on
\nJl. Cendana, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Only a few people participated at the Idul Fitri prayers held
\nin Soeharto's housing compound, while the latter did not show up
\ndue to his illness.<\/p>\n
After the prayers, several guests, including former vice
\npresident Umar Wirahadikusumah, his successor Try Sutrisno and
\nformer military chief Wiranto, were seen visiting Soeharto, whose
\nyoungest son, Hutomo \"Tommy\" Mandala Putra, is still in police
\ncustody on murder and other charges.<\/p>\n
In Semarang, Central Java, which is the axis, as well as the
\ncrossroads for travelers bound for Yogyakarta, Surakarta and
\nSurabaya, things were getting calmer on Sunday. Shopping malls
\nand department stores had closed to allow employees the
\nopportunity to celebrate Idul Fitri with family members back
\nhome.<\/p>",
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