Celebrating Idul Fitri between solemnity and fanfare

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.