Idul Adha observed on different days

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Moslems celebrated Idul Adha, Sacrifice Day, on two different days due to different calendar calculations, a fact which did not dampen nationwide festivities.

The Dewan Dakwah Islamiah Indonesia (Islamic propagation council) held the earlier Idul Adha prayers on Thursday, while the majority of Moslem organizations, including the 28 million- strong Muhammadiyah and the 30 million-strong Nahdlatul Ulama, agreed with the government that the day fell yesterday.

Idul Adha coincides with the 10th Islamic month of Dzulhijjah. Different methods in determining dates have in the past caused Moslems in various parts of the world to start the fasting month of Ramadhan, celebrate its end, and celebrate Sacrifice Day on different days.

Hussein Umar of the Dewan Dakwah said the different time for the Idul Adha celebration should not be a cause of friction among Moslems. "The council respects other people's conviction (to hold) the prayers on a different day. There's no problem," Hussein was quoted by Antara as saying Thursday.

Muchtar Zarkasi of the Ministry of Religious Affairs agreed that it was usual to have different dates for Sacrifice Day. "We've had such differences in the past," he said.

Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher said in speech welcoming Sacrifice Day on Thursday evening that Moslem communities now face many problems and challenges, including those in the form of riots stirred up by those wishing to plant a wedge between people.

"We have to be strong and remain assertive," he said. He also urged Moslems to thank Allah for their peace and prosperity.

Festivities began Thursday evening here and in many other parts of Indonesia. Mosques belted out takbir (praise of Allah) while youths held processions in convoys of vehicles, beating traditional bedug drums all the while.

In Jakarta yesterday morning, President Soeharto and Vice President Try Sutrisno said Idul Adha prayers at the Istiqlal Grand Mosque along with thousands of other residents. Cabinet ministers and foreign dignitaries also prayed there.

Afterward, Soeharto donated a 850-kilogram cow and Try a 825 kg cow to be slaughtered and given to the poor. Across the country, people flocked to various designated spots, normally near mosques, to witness the slaughter of cattle and wait for the meat to be distributed.

Preacher H. Syafiq A. Mughni said in his sermon at Istiqlal Mosque that Moslems were being challenged to prove to the world that religion is indeed a balancing force for a civilization now marred with crises of humanity and spirituality.

"We are always expected to prove that Moslems are khairu ummah (the best community) whose feature is a balanced life known as ummatan wasathan," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

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Ulemas chose various topics for their sermons at Idul Adha prayers. In Banda Aceh, the capital of Indonesia's easternmost province Aceh, preacher Safwan Idris used the occasion to remind local youths not to be lured by "Zionist skepticism".

In Medan, North Sumatra, thousands of Moslems gathered in Medan Merdeka field, where they also prayed for the late First Lady Tien Soeharto who died on April 28, 1996 which coincided with last year's Idul Adha.

In Palembang, South Sumatra, preacher Azom Romli called on Moslems to give greater contribution to national development programs.

In the predominately Catholic East Timor, around 11,000 Moslem said their prayers in Lanal Dili field. Ahya Ulumuddin from the local office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs said in his sermon that all Moslems should strive to contribute to national unity.

In the predominately Hindu Bali, prayers were organized at 24 locations. Vice Governor Ahim Abdurahim was among the masses. (12/swe)

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