Committee Reveals Origins of Ban on Early Eid Prayer in Kedungwinong, Sukoharjo

The chairman of the Eid al-Fitr prayer committee at Masjid Jami’ul Khoir, Zuhri, explained the initial reasons why the Eid prayer at the mosque in Kedungwinong Village, Pati, Central Java, was cancelled. He stated that the Eid prayer on that day did not receive permission from the village government.

Zuhri said he had met with the village head, Miyadi, at the mosque to inform him about the Eid al-Fitr prayer scheduled for Friday (20/3/2026). He had also submitted an official letter to Miyadi.

“I had coordinated with the mosque’s takmir, which we legally occupy, including the letterhead and the full name of the takmir chairman, as well as a copy to Mr. Lurah (notification). I met him at the mosque because he is a busy person and sometimes goes elsewhere. When we met at the mosque, I had prepared the notification letter. I had just started speaking, ‘Sir, this is to inform you in advance about the Muhammadiyah Eid prayer on Friday’,” said Zuhri when met at the Kedungwinong sub-district office, as reported by detikJateng on Friday (20/3).

Zuhri revealed that he had been questioned by the Babinsa regarding the implementation of the Eid al-Fitr prayer. He mentioned that the Babinsa allowed it but did not guarantee security.

“In the evening, we were doing community work before the Eid prayer. The Babinsa from the TNI came to the mosque while some of us were doing the work with a clear and firm context. He asked about the implementation of the Eid al-Fitr prayer, and in that context, the Babinsa said, ‘Mr. Lurah has repeatedly told me that if permission is requested, I won’t grant it’. Continuing in that context, ‘If something happens tomorrow, I won’t take responsibility. Basically, if you insist on holding the Eid prayer tomorrow, I won’t take responsibility’,” he said.

For this reason, Zuhri decided to cancel the Eid al-Fitr prayer implementation. His side then contacted the congregation that the Eid al-Fitr prayer was cancelled via the mosque’s loudspeaker.

“This morning after Subuh (notification that there would be no Eid al-Fitr prayer). Because I was thinking that something might happen. And it was announced via the mosque’s loudspeaker. Why? From the beginning, there has been some pressure from certain parties because I’m afraid, even just distributing flyers, there are people who blame me,” he explained.

“It wasn’t stopped. I cancelled it myself because I couldn’t guarantee the safety of my congregation and their devotion due to the context from the Babinsa. The context is as above, if something happens tomorrow, I won’t guarantee safety and security,” he added.

Zuhri expressed regret because every time there is a difference in the timing of Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha prayers, it is always not allowed to be held twice. He said he has experienced this for years.

The congregation eventually sought another location to perform the Eid al-Fitr prayer. They finally held the Eid prayer in the Nguter area.

“If in previous years we were forced to go to Nguter, but the elderly are pitiful because they can’t pray. The LP2A agreement is an agreement that I think is not quite right because it adopts some organisations but limits the freedom of other organisations, even though everyone is Muslim. So why is this inappropriate decision still maintained until now, it’s a shame, right?” he concluded.