'Idul Fitri means new hope'
'Idul Fitri means new hope'
Muslims worldwide will celebrate Idul Fitri on Nov. 15 and Nov.
16 after one month of fasting. It is a contemplative time when
people seek forgiveness from their family, friends and
colleagues. The Jakarta Post asked some residents what Idul Fitri
means to them.
Imron, 26, is a busker. He lives in Pancoran, South Jakarta:
This year, Idul Fitri means new hope for me. Just recently I
got a job as a kiosk attendant. I don't have to spend night and
day on buses to get enough money for a proper meal. Now I have a
steady income per week which I can save. Hopefully, next year I
will have better life.
Tri Hutomo, 38, is a taxi driver. He lives in Depok:
Idul Fitri is the day for Muslims to celebrate moral victory
from restraining ourselves from anger and dissatisfaction -- no
matter how cranky we were during the fasting month. Ramadhan
teaches us to be patient, forgiveness, and to be closer to God.
And Idul Fitri is a good example that we should stay that way the
whole year, not only for 30 days.
Onny, 33, owns a food stall on Jl. Utan Kayu Raya in East
Jakarta. He lives with his family at Cempaka Putih housing
complex in Central Jakarta:
For me, Idul Fitri, is the time for our family, who mostly
live in Yogyakarta, to get together. That's why I have planned to
celebrate there with my extended family. It's a very rare
opportunity which comes only once a year and I don't want to miss
it.
I know that for many of the young generation, the mudik (trek
home by people to their villages) tradition has been phasing out.
Many people prefer to make a telephone call or send short message
service (SMS) instead of visiting relatives or friends. For me,
there is a big difference between talking on the phone and
meeting persons to say "Happy Idul Fitri".
--The Jakarta Post
Muslims worldwide will celebrate Idul Fitri on Nov. 15 and Nov.
16 after one month of fasting. It is a contemplative time when
people seek forgiveness from their family, friends and
colleagues. The Jakarta Post asked some residents what Idul Fitri
means to them.
Imron, 26, is a busker. He lives in Pancoran, South Jakarta:
This year, Idul Fitri means new hope for me. Just recently I
got a job as a kiosk attendant. I don't have to spend night and
day on buses to get enough money for a proper meal. Now I have a
steady income per week which I can save. Hopefully, next year I
will have better life.
Tri Hutomo, 38, is a taxi driver. He lives in Depok:
Idul Fitri is the day for Muslims to celebrate moral victory
from restraining ourselves from anger and dissatisfaction -- no
matter how cranky we were during the fasting month. Ramadhan
teaches us to be patient, forgiveness, and to be closer to God.
And Idul Fitri is a good example that we should stay that way the
whole year, not only for 30 days.
Onny, 33, owns a food stall on Jl. Utan Kayu Raya in East
Jakarta. He lives with his family at Cempaka Putih housing
complex in Central Jakarta:
For me, Idul Fitri, is the time for our family, who mostly
live in Yogyakarta, to get together. That's why I have planned to
celebrate there with my extended family. It's a very rare
opportunity which comes only once a year and I don't want to miss
it.
I know that for many of the young generation, the mudik (trek
home by people to their villages) tradition has been phasing out.
Many people prefer to make a telephone call or send short message
service (SMS) instead of visiting relatives or friends. For me,
there is a big difference between talking on the phone and
meeting persons to say "Happy Idul Fitri".
--The Jakarta Post