Exiled Indonesians celebrate Idul Fitri holiday

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesians in New York City and surrounding areas said their Idul Fitri prayer in the only Indonesian mosque in the United States, where khotib (preacher) M. Achmad Padang told leaders to emulate King Solomon who listened even to the aspiration of mere ants.

The preacher said leaders must not be arrogant, but to serve the people. Quoting a Koranic verse, Achmad said: "Allah will grant power to those whom He wills and revoke it from any that He wills."

"Prophet Solomon wielded such a great power, but he listened to the aspiration of ants," he said.

After the religious service, Makarim held an open house and received well-wishers at the Wisma Duta guest house.

The Antara news agency said the gathering was also attended by Indonesian permanent representative to the United Nations, Makarim Wibisono, and consul in New York Rachmat Ranudiwidjaja.

Overseas Indonesians celebrated Idul Fitri Muslim holiday in various parts of the world in ways which were similar to families back home, namely gathering to say their prayers and follow it with halal bihalal or wishing each other well and apologizing for past mistakes.

In India, about 200 people -- mostly students -- said the Idul Fitri prayer at the Indonesian embassy in New Delhi. Also joining the prayer were some of the 1.5 million Indian Muslims in the city.

Antara said merriment, however, centered at Jama Mosque at the Nizamuddin area which is Muslim-predominated. Around 200,000 Muslims said their prayer there.

In Egypt, about 300 Indonesians gathered at the Indonesian embassy in Cairo. Some of those in attendants were students who had to be picked up by embassy staff from their dormitories and residences because public transportation was not operating on holidays.

Last year, there were 1,500 Indonesians celebrating Idul Fitri at the embassy.

In The Hague, thousands of Indonesians flocked to mosques to say their Idul Fitri prayer. Indonesian ambassador Abdul Irsan joined the event and shared the merriment at the Al Hikmah mosque.

In Australia, Ambassador Wiryono Sastrohandoyo addressed about 2,000 Muslims gathering at the only mosque in Canberra, according to Antara. (01)