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.