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.