'Idul Fitri is liberating'

'Idul Fitri is liberating'

Jakarta traffic has been much lighter over the past few days as
many residents have left the capital for their hometowns to
celebrate Idul Fitri, which is on Nov. 14 and Nov. 15. Others
have chosen to stay in the capital. The Jakarta Post asked some
residents what Idul Fitri means to them.

Savic Alielha, 30, is a freelance publisher and lives at
Salemba, Central Jakarta:

I will leave for Pati, Central Java, today. I haven't been
able to return home for several years due to my hectic work
schedule here.

My trip home, in fact, is also partly to seek fresh air, away
from the polluted air of the capital. I can find that in my
village.

I have taken some work to do at as I think it will be a nice
change to do it in a fresh environment.

Denny, 35, works at a travel agency in Sudirman Central
Business District in South Jakarta. He lives with his family in
Depok:

Actually, I had planned to go to Garut in West Java.
Unfortunately, my wife's relatives have come to visit so we have
to stay in the capital for a few days to take them around the
city.

Perhaps, I will change my schedule and go out of town after
the Idul Fitri celebrations.

Ika, 25, is a web editor at the Indonesian Red Cross office in
South Jakarta. She lives with her husband in Mampang, South
Jakarta:

For me, Idul Fitri is important as it marks the time when we
feel liberated, after 30 days of fasting and contemplating.

After 11 months of busy activities, I have spent 30 days
concentrating on spiritual matters.

I have been pondering about becoming a new person next year. I
developed an optimistic outlook during Ramadhan.

I have promised myself that in the following months I will try
to do my best in whatever I do. I will dedicate my work not only
to self pleasure, but also to God. -- The Jakarta Post