Idul Fitri falls on Dec. 5: Muhammadiyah

Idul Fitri falls on Dec. 5: Muhammadiyah

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The country's second largest Muslim organization, Muhammadiyah,
said on Wednesday that it would celebrate Idul Fitri on Dec. 5,
one day earlier than the date designated by the government.

Muhammadiyah chairman Din Syamsuddin said that the difference
in the date of Idul Fitri celebrations was due to a different
understanding of Islam.

"This is purely a religious matter and the understanding of
Islam according to Muhammadiyah," Din was quoted by Antara as
saying.

Muhammadiyah, which claims to have around 30 million members
nationwide, is the second largest Muslim organization after
Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), which has around 30 million members. NU is
yet to issue any ruling on the issue.

The Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) appealed to Muslim
communities throughout the country Wednesday to accept the
difference in dates for 2002 Idul Fitri.

MUI chairman Ma'ruf Amin said here on Wednesday that Muslims
in Indonesia have to promote mutual respect and show signs of
tolerance if some communities celebrate Idul Fitri on Dec. 5.

"MUI appeals to the government to exercise tolerance to those
who celebrate Idul Fitri on Dec. 5," Antara reported Ma'ruf as
saying.

He said such differences were normal and compromises were
difficult.

Muslims, which account for almost 85 percent of the country's
215 million people, celebrate Idul Fitri after fasting from dawn
to dusk for 29 or 30 days during the holy month of Ramadhan.

The government designated Dec. 6 and 7 as the days for Idul
Fitri celebrations.

Din said such differences should not be debated or
exaggerated.

"Muslim people are becoming more mature and intelligent.
Should there indeed be differences, let's show our tolerance and
demonstrate mutual respect to Muslims celebrating Idul Fitri on
Dec. 5," Din said.

He also urged Muslims celebrating Idul Fitri on Dec. 5 to
respect fellow Muslims who still had to fast on Dec. 5.

Celebrating on different dates, Din said, should be tolerated
by the government and the people by giving members of the
Muhammadiyah leeway to enable them to perform their Idul Fitri
prayer on Dec. 5.

Last year, Muhammadiyah also celebrated Idul Fitri, known
locally as lebaran, one day ahead of the date designated by the
government and the celebrations proceeded peacefully.

The government had extended the Idul Fitri holidays by three
days on Dec. 5, Dec. 9 and 10 respectively.