Celebrating Idul Fitri between solemnity and fanfare

On the eve of Idul Fitri, a bomb blast killed six people in the troubled town of Poso, Central Sulawesi, while Muslims on Alor island in East Nusa Tenggara marked the end of Ramadhan outside their homes in fear of more aftershocks after a strong earthquake killed 25 people there on Friday. However in general, Muslims across the country celebrated the occasion peacefully on Sunday amid warnings of possibly more terror attacks. They visited family members, relatives, neighbors and others to offer forgiveness for any misdeeds. Afterward, many of them packed recreational centers together.

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JP/Mulkan Salmona and R. Berto Wedhatama

Hundreds of people (photo left) scramble into the State Palace to shake hands with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Idul Fitri. Meanwhile, the normally crowded Jl. Sudirman in Jakarta (photo above) is deserted after Idul Fitri prayers.

JP/Berto R. Wedhatama

Muslims pray on Idul Fitri at Sunda Kelapa Port in North Jakarta (photo above) with wooden fishing boats in the background. Youths on a truck (photo right) paraded around the streets to mark the end of Ramadhan on Saturday night.

JP/Nani Afrida, P.J. Leo and Odi Wijaya

(Clockwise from left) Children celebrate Idul Fitri with toy guns in Deyah village, Pidie district, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, although local authorities have banned toy guns to prevent the smuggling of arms by separatists into the province. Residents of Bulakan hamlet in Bitung Jaya village, Tangerang, Banten, shake hands with neighbors and offer forgiveness on Idul Fitri. Street boys receive rice at Blok M bus terminal, which was given ahead by Muslims as alms before Idul Fitri prayers.