A time for purification

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.