Idul Fitri reflections

Idul Fitri reflections

Idul Fitri has arrived again, and as usual, it is a time to
rejoice and to contemplate, as well as a time for self-
reflection. Coming at the end of Ramadhan, Idul Fitri caps the
holy month during which Muslims refrain from eating and drinking,
and restrain from indulging in earthly pleasures, such as sexual
relations, from dawn to dusk. It is a spiritual exercise to bring
one's emotions under control, and to elevate one's self
spiritually. Ramadhan is a time to say a lot of prayers.

Fasting, restraining oneself and praying are part of the
ritual that, practiced properly, will bring one closer to God.
For many people, particularly those who feel they have passed the
test, Idul Fitri is greeted with joy. And what better way of
marking this "victory" than by celebrating it with loved ones.

Idul Fitri is also a time to be charitable and to forgive as
well as to ask for forgiveness. Zakat fitrah (the alms Muslims
must give to the needy at the end of Ramadhan) symbolizes the
care toward those who are far less fortunate. It is a reminder of
our obligation to our community. The traditional Indonesian Idul
Fitri greeting, Maaf Lahir dan Batin (to give and ask for
complete forgiveness), underpins the need to forge a stronger
brotherhood, not only within our own immediate circles, but also
within our community, the nation and the world. The prayer to be
conducted en masse in open fields or at mosques on the morning of
Idul Fitri day is another reminder of our place in a community
and, therefore, of the need to forge a strong sense of belonging
in the community we live in.

So while Idul Fitri marks a personal achievement in the
endeavor to reach a higher spiritual existence during Ramadhan,
it should have a strong impact on the life of our community.
Looking around us, especially at the violence that has continued
in various parts of Indonesia and the seemingly endless bickering
among the nation's leaders, one gets the feeling that all the
wisdom that Ramadhan and Idul Fitri should have brought has
failed to truly prevail in this country.

In the last few months, including these past four weeks of
Ramadhan, we have witnessed some of the bloodiest conflicts seen
in this country for a long time. The nation's leaders seem
helpless as violence in Aceh and in south and north Maluku cause
more deaths and destruction. There have been smaller, but equally
tragic incidents elsewhere in the country, including the attack
on the Doulos Christian complex in Jakarta last month and the
recent killing spree of Muslim teachers in Malang, East Java.

In some of these conflicts, it was unfortunate, and very
dangerous too, that religious banners were used to justify the
attacks. In Maluku, what began as a row between a passenger and a
bus conductor nearly 12 months ago has escalated into a sectarian
war pitting Muslims against Christians. There is no doubt that
neither religions, whose real message is peace for all mankind,
condones the violence being carried out on its behalf by either
followers. What these conflicts mean, however, is that many
Christians and Muslims in Maluku could not share the joy of last
month's Christmas or this week's Idul Fitri as brought to their
brethren elsewhere in the world. They celebrated these two events
in fear for their lives, or in squalid refugee camps.

As we rejoice Idul Fitri tomorrow, we must spare our thoughts
for those who are far less fortunate than ourselves, particularly
Muslims and Christians in Maluku and those who live in fear in
Aceh. Our thoughts must also go to those who are still struggling
after their lives were devastated by the economic crisis.

While the condition around us should not dampen our spirit,
this is an Idul Fitri which we want to celebrate solemnly. During
our prayers, we should pray for the well-being of our fellow
countrymen whose lives have been destroyed, and for our leaders,
upon whose shoulders lie the challenging task of ending the
violence and suffering of our people.