Government decides Idul Fitri to be on Friday
Government decides Idul Fitri to be on Friday
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The government announced on Wednesday evening that Idul Fitri
would fall on Friday, even though the Muhammadiyah, the country's
second largest Muslim organization, decided earlier to celebrate
the holiday on Thursday.
The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the country's largest Muslim
organization, announced earlier that it would also celebrate Idul
Fitri on Friday.
The government's decision was made following a meeting at the
Ministry of Religious Affairs, which involved the minister, Said
Agiel Munawar, religious experts and leaders from various Muslim
groups.
The meeting discussed reports from Muslim leaders in various
parts of the country on their sighting of the moon or hilal. Most
leaders reported they had not seen the moon, therefore, those
attending the meeting decided to end the holy fasting month of
Ramadhan on Thursday to celebrate Idul Fitri on Friday.
Representatives from the NU, Muhammdiyah, the Indonesian
Ulemas Council (MUI) and other influential organizations, such as
Persis, Al-Irsyad, Dewan Dakwah Islamiyah Indonesia and Tarbiyah,
attended the meeting.
Several foreign ambassadors from the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as the Palestine were also in
attendance.
At the meeting, Muhammadiyah secretary-general Goodwill Zuber
said that despite the decision, members of his organization would
go ahead with Idul Fitri celebrations on Thursday.
"We shouldn't make these differences between the government
and Muhammadiyah a problem. They (the differences) should be seen
as a part of our efforts to maintain our unity.
"For my Muslim brothers and sisters of the Muhammadiyah, I
wish you all a happy Idul Fitri," Said said.
Yogyakarta, Surakarta and many parts of Central Java and East
Java where the Muhammadiyah organization has a strong influence
made preparations on Wednesday to celebrate Idul Fitri on
Thursday.
Some places in Jakarta will also hold Idul Fitri prayers on
Thursday. They include the Senayan eastern parking lot of the
Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex, where People's Consultative
Assembly Speaker and former Muhammadiyah chairman Amien Rais is
scheduled to deliver his sermons.