Torch parade sweeps away divisiveness<\/p>\n
At least 300 young people carrying torches and chanting praise to
\nGod on malam takbiran (the eve of Idul Fitri) marched along the
\nalleys of Kauman subdistrict, Pasar Kliwon, Surakarta, Central
\nJava, becoming the main attraction as they crossed the streets.<\/p>\n
Most of them raised their oncor (bamboo torches) in their
\nhands to light the way on the rainy night, while continually
\nchanting takbir (praising God's name). Like hundreds of small
\ndragons flying around, as they sputtered and gave off steam in
\nthe cold rain, the torches in the hands of the young people
\ncontinuously lit up their faces.<\/p>\n
While reciting takbir, some of them hit rebana (small drums)
\nto guide the recital. The rhythm thus created blended with the
\nsound of falling rain, blocking out the noise from the busy
\nshopping area in the neighborhood, which was serving customers
\nprior to the celebration of Idul Fitri.<\/p>\n
The rain, which became heavier as the night went on, as though
\ntrying to wash away the parade of these little flames, eventually
\nsurrendered to the spirit and excitement, fading to a drizzle and
\nleaving only traces of wet ground all over the alleys.<\/p>\n
While walking on, the boys and girls laughed with each other
\nand recited even more loudly. Ignoring their wet clothes and
\nbodies, their happy faces shone brightly, impressing onlookers
\nwith the joyousness of the parade.<\/p>\n
The boys and girls from seven different musholla (prayer
\nhouses) in the community had come together on the rainy evening
\nof Nov. 23 in a show of solidarity, despite a dispute raging
\namong local religious leaders over the exact date of the holiday
\nthat marks the end of the fasting month, Ramadhan.<\/p>\n
"We don't care about the differences between us, or whether
\nyou are Muhammadiyah, Nadhatul Ulama or other group members. We
\njust want to celebrate this happy night together. We haven't
\nstaged this parade for years. It's great fun to witness this kind
\nof excitement among us," said one of the participants.<\/p>\n
The seven musholla in Kauman managed to arrange the oncor
\nparade to bring the tradition alive. It carries many different
\ninterpretations. Some people say the parade originated at a time
\nwhen no electricity existed in the city. Some say the fire
\nsymbolizes the victory of truth over evil. It will throw off the
\ndarkness, which represents evil.<\/p>\n
"We are not sure about the roots of the tradition. All we know
\nis that the activity can bring us together and enable us to
\nforget our differences. Moreover, it is fun and attracts many
\nparticipants," said Mufidz Aryono, a committee member of the
\nparade.<\/p>\n
As night rolled on, group after group went back to its
\nrespective musholla to concentrate on recital activities inside
\nthe building. However, the laughter and joy of the children and
\nteenagers was still felt around the neighborhood. The night was
\nvery clear after the rain, as if the activity had cleared away
\nthe darkness.<\/p>\n
Still, the question haunting these youngsters is whether the
\necho of the activity can reach the leaders as a bottom-up signal
\nto them about what could happen next year if disagreements flare
\nup again.<\/p>\n
"We hope that we can participate in the same activity next
\nyear; this togetherness will be the spark to reconcile our
\nleaders. But what can we do if they decide to celebrate Idul
\nFitri on different days?" Mufidz asked in frustration.<\/p>\n
The answers could be found in the louder and louder takbir
\nheard at each musholla in the neighborhood, while across the
\nstreet customers began leaving the shopping centers to prepare
\nfor Idul Fitri the next day. -- Abdul Khalik<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/torch-parade-sweeps-away-divisiveness-1447893297",
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