Solemnity marks Idul Fitri festivities<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Millions of Muslims in the capital celebrated
\nthe Idul Fitri holiday on Saturday and Sunday in a solemn and
\npeaceful mood.<\/p>\n
Mosques, sports fields and parking lots were packed on
\nSaturday morning as people said the Idul Fitri prayer.<\/p>\n
With almost two million Jakarta residents celebrating the
\nholiday in their respective hometowns, most of the city's main
\nthoroughfares were empty during the two days. Many shops and
\nshopping centers were also closed.<\/p>\n
Rain hit several spots in the capital on Saturday morning.<\/p>\n
There was heavy traffic congestion in Pasar Rebo in East
\nJakarta, and Pasar Minggu, Kalibata, Pondok Labu, Lebak Bulus,
\nKebayoran Lama and Ciputat in South Jakarta as families thronged
\nrecreation areas, such as Ragunan Zoo in South Jakarta, Taman Ria
\nSenayan recreational park in Central Jakarta, Indonesia in
\nMiniature Park in East Jakarta and Ancol Dreamland in North
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
Heavy traffic was also observed on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The Indonesia in Miniature Park received a total of 40,515
\nvisitors on Saturday and 80,000 on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, police and hospital staff said there were few
\ncrimes reported over the two days.<\/p>\n
However, an ax-wielding gang struck on Saturday at what is
\nlocally known as the Coca-Cola crossroads in Rawasari, East
\nJakarta. They smashed the windows of several cars, making off
\nwith valuables of the vehicles' occupants.<\/p>\n
The celebration of Idul Fitri, or Lebaran as it is known
\nlocally, to mark the end of the month-long Ramadhan fasting month
\nstarted on Friday evening when thousands of Muslims, particularly
\nteenagers, took to the streets in trucks, buses and private cars
\nin the takbiran (recitation of Allah is great) parade.<\/p>\n
Besides using loud speakers, most of the people banged bedug
\n(drum), blew paper trumpets and set off firecrackers to voice
\ntheir joy.<\/p>\n
Firecrackers<\/p>\n
Like the New Year's street celebrations, most of the crowd
\nflocked to the huge Monas park in Central Jakarta, which later
\nled to rival groups engaged in throwing firecrackers.<\/p>\n
At least two people, Agus Muryadi of Setiabudi, and Rachmat
\nHidayat of Cawang, both 18, were severely wounded by firecrackers
\nat the park.<\/p>\n
One man, Solchin, 19, was wounded in the leg after falling
\nfrom a speeding truck during the takbir.<\/p>\n
Antara reported that 25 local artists, including Eko Patrio,
\nMonica Oemardi and Viny Alvionita, also was part of a convoy to
\nvisit veteran artists and distribute gifts to poor children.<\/p>\n
For the Idul Fitri prayer on Saturday morning, President
\nAbdurrahman Wahid, First Lady Sinta Nuriyah, Vice President
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri, her husband Taufik Keimas and their
\nfamilies prayed along with tens of thousands of others at
\nIstiqlal Grand Mosque in Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Former president Soeharto and his family said the prayer at
\nAt-Tin Mosque in the Indonesia in Miniature Park complex.<\/p>\n
Soeharto was accompanied by his half-brother businessman
\nProbosutedjo at the prayer, which was also attended by local
\nresidents.<\/p>\n
Many people tried to shake hands with Soeharto after the
\nprayer but were prevented by a heavy security detail.<\/p>\n
Probosutedjo did not reply when asked by reporters about
\nSoeharto's plan for Idul Fitri.<\/p>\n
After the prayer, Abdurrahman and Megawati celebrated their
\nfirst Idul Fitri as the country's leaders with an open house to
\nreceive well-wishers, including members of the public, at their
\nrespective official residences.<\/p>\n
The President's visitors included Umar Wahid, his younger
\nbrother and chief of the presidential medical team. He led his
\nrelatives -- including a distant uncle whose duty is to keep all
\nof Abdurrahman's favorite kris -- in greeting the first family.<\/p>\n
Ambassadors<\/p>\n
After receiving relatives and family friends, the first family
\nreceived Cabinet members and ambassadors. Singapore's ambassador
\nto Indonesia Edward Lee was their first foreign guest.<\/p>\n
The presence of former military commander and minister of
\ndefense and security Gen. (ret) Benny Moerdani attracted
\nattention. Benny was accompanied by his close friend, businessman
\nRobby \"Ketek\" Sumampouw.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Gen.
\nWiranto and wife Uga also attended.<\/p>\n
The Vice President's official residence on Jl. Diponegoro,
\nCentral Jakarta, was also packed with well-wishers, including
\nCabinet members, diplomats and businesspeople.<\/p>\n
Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso was accompanied by his wife and
\ndaughters.<\/p>\n
As with past Idul Fitri celebrations, many taxi drivers took
\nthe opportunity of few public transportation vehicles on the
\nroads to double or triple their fares.<\/p>\n
\"Usually I spend Rp 10,000 to Kemang from here (Pondok Labu in
\nSouth Jakarta). But this time the driver asked me to pay him Rp
\n25,000. I had no choice. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to meet my
\nrelatives to ask for forgiveness,\" said passenger Sudharmo, who
\nwas with his wife and three children.<\/p>\n
A fire in Rawa Sawah in Central Jakarta on the first day of
\nIdul Fitri razed 30 houses. No casualties were reported in the
\nincident.<\/p>\n
Central Jakarta Police chief Arya Perdana said the cause of
\nthe fire and material losses were still under investigation.<\/p>\n
\"There are two pieces of information on the cause of the fire
\nwhich we received from witnesses. The first witness said the fire
\nwas caused by a short circuit, while another attributed it to the
\nexplosion of firecrackers. However, the cause is still under
\ninvestigation.\" (bsr\/prb\/ylt\/06\/ind)<\/p>",
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