Provinces brace for different Idul Fitri dates<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Provincial authorities across the country are
\nbracing for two different Idul Fitri holidays with a call for
\nMoslems to maintain order and harmony.<\/p>\n
Acting chief of the Religious Affairs Office of Central
\nSulawesi, Muhammad Gudal, said yesterday that the local
\nadministration would allow the Islamic community to celebrate
\nIdul Fitri one day earlier than the government calendar if they
\nchoose to, Antara reported.<\/p>\n
\"We will not prevent them from celebrating the holiday on
\nThursday (today) because it's part of their devotion. We just
\ndon't want them to do it in such a way that they upset harmony
\namong Moslems,\" Gudal said in the provincial capital of Palu.<\/p>\n
After a meeting with various Moslem organizations, the
\ngovernment announced yesterday that Idul Fitri would fall
\ntomorrow. The 28-million-strong Muhammadiyah Moslem organization
\nhas set the holiday for today based on mathematical calculations.<\/p>\n
Idul Fitri marks the end of the Ramadhan fasting month. A mass
\nmorning prayer is held on the holiday.<\/p>\n
The Central Sulawesi administration issued a decree yesterday
\nin response to the different calendars, asking Moslems who intend
\nto celebrate the holiday today to refrain themselves from doing
\nanything that could spark hatred.<\/p>\n
Another decree was announced yesterday by the Central Java
\noffice of Muhammadiyah, calling on its members to maintain
\ntolerance with other Moslems who follow the official calendar
\nwhile celebrating Idul Fitri today.<\/p>\n
The decree says Muhammadiyah members who work for the
\ngovernment will have to keep working today, except those who have
\nreceived a permit to take leave.<\/p>\n
\"As good citizens, those who will celebrate Idul Fitri
\nThursday must obey government rules,\" the decree says.<\/p>\n
The provincial chief of Muhammadiyah, Abu Su'ud, hailed
\nGovernor Soewardi for allowing the organization's members to hold
\nan early celebration, saying the local government's wisdom
\nbrought relief.<\/p>\n
In Banda Aceh, hundreds of police will be deployed to maintain
\norder during the two different holidays, provincial police chief
\nCol. Mochammad Rodja said yesterday.<\/p>\n
\"Despite the troops build-up, we believe that Moslems here
\nwill not take the two different holidays seriously. The
\ndistinction is normal and should not be exploited,\" Rodja said.
\n\"It's more important to accept the difference and practice our
\ndevotion according to our own faith.\"<\/p>\n
With Idul Fitri approaching, business activities eased in most
\nmajor towns.<\/p>\n
Many storekeepers in downtown Surabaya, East Java, decided to
\nclose their shops yesterday because their employees took leave.<\/p>\n
\"We will resume our business three days after Idul Fitri next
\nWednesday,\" said Soerono, a shop owner on Jl. Gemblongan Bubutan.<\/p>\n
Housing complexes were also quiet yesterday, with some
\nresidents entrusting their valuable belongings such as TV sets to
\nsecurity guards.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the exodus of holiday revelers reached its peak in
\nthe past two days. In Java's western tip port of Merak, 59
\npeople, mostly women and children, became unconscious yesterday
\nwhen thousands of people leaving for Sumatra rushed for seats on
\nferries across the Sunda Strait.<\/p>\n
Security guards and firemen were deployed to help the overcome
\npassengers out of the crowd.<\/p>\n
Merak port manager, Ilham Nontji, said the number of people
\nleaving for Sumatra was beyond expectation. He said the figure
\nreached a record 77,877, breaking the previous figure of 66,000
\nthree days ago. (amd)<\/p>",
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