Eid al-Fitr Prayer at Bandung City Hall Becomes a Platform for Community Bonding and Social Reflection

Thousands of residents filled the Plaza at Bandung City Hall to perform the Eid al-Fitr prayer for the Hijri year 1447, which took place solemnly on Saturday (21/3). This event served as a gathering for community bonding among the public, including those who had migrated and returned to Bandung to celebrate Lebaran with their families.

Attending the event were officials from the Bandung City Government, Forkopimda representatives, BUMD leaders, and community figures. The Eid prayer was led by khatib Ahmad Farizi.

Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan expressed gratitude for the opportunity to gather in an atmosphere of togetherness. He emphasised that Eid al-Fitr is not merely a spiritual victory but also a moment to strengthen relationships among residents.

“I also invite the community to forgive one another and guard our hearts from negative things. Eid al-Fitr is a moment to cleanse the heart, repair relationships, and strengthen brotherhood,” he stated.

On this Eid al-Fitr occasion, Farhan also reminded the importance of social care, especially amid ongoing economic disparities in Bandung City. He urged the public not only to celebrate the victory after Ramadan but also to reflect on the surrounding social conditions.

“To date, there are still around 100,000 residents of Bandung City living in poverty and extreme poverty. This condition is a major task for the government and all elements of society. I have personally witnessed the very concerning conditions of residents. Assistance alone is not enough; they need opportunities for a better life,” he revealed.

Farhan added that approximately 7.4 percent of the productive workforce in Bandung City still lacks employment. The level of economic inequality, reflected in the Gini ratio of 0.42, is higher than the national average. These issues cannot be resolved by the government alone but require collaboration from all parties, including the community.

“In this context, I emphasise the importance of zakat, infaq, and sedekah as instruments for economic equalisation. Zakat is not just a religious obligation but also a social solution so that wealth does not circulate only within certain groups,” he asserted.

Farhan invited the community to make Eid al-Fitr the starting point for strengthening solidarity and social care, so that prosperity can be felt more evenly by all Bandung residents.