Idul Fitri celebrated on different days
Idul Fitri celebrated on different days
JAKARTA (JP): Due to differing calculations of the Islamic lunar calendar, millions of people said their Idul Fitri prayers on Thursday while millions of others performed their prayers on Friday.
Muhammadiyah, Indonesia's second largest Moslem organization, stated that Idul Fitri fell on Thursday, while the government announced that it would start on Friday.
Thanks to an appeal for tolerance by the government and Moslem leaders, the difference in the observance of Idul Fitri was handled well and did not become a source of contention.
A new feature in this year's celebrations, however, was people asking first "Are you celebrating Idul Fitri Thursday or Friday?" before conveying their greetings.
Many East Javanese Moslems celebrated Idul Fitri on Thursday since the provincial chapter of Nahdlatul Ulama, which is Indonesia's largest Moslem organization, decreed the celebrations could start on Jan. 29. Idul Fitri was also celebrated on that day by Moslems in Salatiga and Semarang in Central Java, Bandarlampung in Lampung, Samarinda in East Kalimantan and Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan.
In Yogyakarta, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono said his Idul Fitri prayers Thursday along with some 10,000 local Moslems in front of the palace.
In Jakarta, Moslems said their prayers in mosques in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, in Cempaka Putih and Kramat in Central Jakarta, in Cawang and Dewi Sartika areas in East Jakarta, and in Tebet, South Jakarta.
Those who observed the beginning of Idul Fitri on Thursday held their celebrations quietly out of respect for those who continued their fasting that day.
The bitter economic recession also forced many to hold modest celebrations. People preferred to entertain themselves or their families by visiting cheap recreational parks. The zoo was a favorite destination.
The country's First Family held a modest celebration by receiving less guests than last year. Only simple food and drinks were offered.
President Soeharto spent the first day of his Idul Fitri holiday on Friday by receiving cabinet ministers, relatives and high-ranking government officials at his private residence on Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta.
The President has not held a special open house in the last few years. There was an announcement from the house that the First Family only held a "family gathering".
After saying their Idul Fitri prayers together with tens of thousands of Moslems at the Istiqlal Grand Mosque, the President first received his six children, their spouses, 12 grandchildren and one great-grand daughter.
In Javanese sungkeman tradition, Soeharto sat alone receiving his family while they paid their respects. He blessed them in return.
His wife Tien Soeharto, who died in April 1996, used to be the first to pay her respects and then sit beside him receiving their children.
Led by eldest daughter Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana and her husband Indra Rukmana, the family members placed their hands in supplication on Soeharto's knees, received a kiss on each cheek and a pat on the back from him before they embraced warmly.
Then Soeharto received son Sigit Harjojudhanto and his wife Elsye, Bambang Trihatmodjo and his wife Halimah, Siti Hedijati Harijadi Prabowo and her husband Maj. Gen. Prabowo Subianto, and Hutomo Mandala Putra and his wife Ardhita Pramesti Regita Cahyani. His youngest daughter Siti Hutami Endang Adiningsih was accompanied by her son.
Commander of the Armed Forces, Gen. Feisal Tanjung, was the first official to convey his holiday greeting to Soeharto. Feisal was followed by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Wiranto.
Vice President Try Sutrisno and his wife Tuti came rather late because they held their own family gathering first.
"Pak Try also received ministers and high-ranking officials at his residence," said officials.
"For this year we provided simple food like chicken satay because the First Family wanted to celebrate modestly," said the household officials.
Separately, Dili Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo congratulated the chairman of East Timor's Indonesian Council of Ulemas, Abdulah M. Sagran, at his residence on Friday.
The zoo was a favorite destination for people in Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung and Yogyakarta, apparently because of its cheap ticket price.
Officials of Ragunan Zoo in South Jakarta said it was visited by more than 70,000 people yesterday. The ticket price is Rp 1,000 for adults and Rp 500 for children.
Antara reported the Bandung Zoo was visited by 40,000 visitors yesterday. Its ticket price is Rp 2,000.
"The number of visitors sharply dropped compared to last year," zoo officials said.
In Surabaya at least 25,000 visited the local zoo. (team)
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