A time for purification

By the time this issue reaches our readers, the tens of thousands of people who in the past few days have patiently endured all the inconveniences of a long journey home will hopefully have arrived at their destinations sound in body and refreshed in mind.

After a year of toiling in the capital to provide their families with a decent life, these people certainly are entitled to celebrate Idul Fitri, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadhan, in their hometowns and villages, together with all those who are closest to their hearts.

It has indeed been sad to learn that not all Idul Fitri travelers reached their destinations safely. Some were killed or injured on their way home in road accidents. Many more fell victim to the crooks and criminals who are always ready to take advantage of the confusion that accompanies such big events.

In the meantime, in the joyous mood of the occasion, it is easy to forget what Idul Fitri really stands for. For millions of Indonesians, Idul Fitri, or Lebaran as it is generally known here, is little more than a festive time of the year during which workers receive bonuses and are allowed to go on extended holidays.

For shopkeepers and roadside vendors it is a time when great profits are there for the taking from people who traditionally spend a great deal of money buying new clothes, shoes and other items for the holiday. Capitalizing on the tradition among Indonesians to visit each other during the holiday to ask for forgiveness for past wrongdoings, food sellers, cake shops and bakeries too normally see their profits jump during Lebaran.

In other words, the inexorable process of commercialization has affected Idul Fitri as it has affected probably almost every other great religious and spiritual holiday in the modern world. In the process, the true spirit of Idul Fitri has become more and more obscured, to the point that today little of it can be observed. Proof of this is not difficult to find in everyday life.

Idul Fitri literally means a return to human fitrah, or nature, through the process of purification. Fittingly, Idul Fitri marks the end of Islam's holy month of Ramadhan, during which people are instructed to observe a month-long fast in the service of Allah, the All-Powerful, All-Merciful.

Yet, as is all too clear for everyone to see, corruption goes on unabated all through this sacred period and injustices and acts of violence continue to be committed. Many people even take advantage of the confusion that invariably exists around the Idul Fitri holiday to fleece their fellow human beings.

All this, of course, is not to promote puritanism in Indonesia. As we said before, after a year of hard work Indonesians are entitled to a few pleasures, including a reunion with friends and family back home. At the same time, however, it would certainly do the country good if Indonesians paid greater heed to the true message of Idul Fitri.