Indonesia marks Idul Fitri with anguish and simplicity

Indonesia marks Idul Fitri with anguish and simplicity

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, celebrated
Idul Fitri in relatively subdued fashion amid concern over
terrorist acts that have plagued the nation this year.

The people in Makassar, capital of the South Sulawesi
province, were shocked by a bomb blast that killed three at a
McDonald's restaurant in the city on Thursday, the first day of
Idul Fitri while two people in once-tense Poso, Central Sulawesi,
were killed by snipers.

The two separate incidents discouraged local people,
especially Muslims, from going out of their homes as fear gripped
the region.

The police in Makassar have arrested two suspects in the blast
while security authorities in Central Sulawesi have decided to
extend the police operation, scheduled to end this month, to
restore security and order in the regency.

However, the Sulawesi killings, along with some ongoing
problems in other provinces, did not represent the Idul Fitri
celebration nationwide although a majority of people observed the
holiday in modest fashion.

Most Muslims in densely-populated Java revived their tradition
of celebrating Idul Fitri in their hometowns. After a month-long
fast, Javanese Muslims went back to their villages (mostly from
Jakarta and other cities) to visit their families and friends.

Despite lower numbers than previous years, a great number of
Jakartans made the journey home by motorcycle because of
transportation problems and skyrocketing bus fares.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Vice President Hamzah
Haz, along with their families, held an open house at their own
residences soon after attending the Ied prayer at the Istiqlal
Grand Mosque on Friday.

The subdued tone was also reflected by the drastic reduction
in number of those wanting to extend Idul Fitri greetings to
Megawati and her husband Taufik Kiemas at the State Palace.

Many legislators, even from Megawati's party, the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), were absent.

By the end of the evening, less than 2,000 people had come to
the gathering, sharply down from last year when almost 5,000
people eagerly lined up and waited at the Palace for a brief
handshake with the President.

"We prepared 4,500 boxes of cakes for the visitors, not even
half were distributed, maybe people have lost interest in the
president," one of the Palace official said.

During the gathering, Megawati was disturbed by two men who
claimed to be "her sons" and refused to leave the Palace
compound. But Presidential Security officers escorted them away
from the Palace.

Former President Soeharto, celebrated Idul Fitri quietly, with
family, friends and several former subordinates visited his home
at Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta.

The dispute by two of the largest Muslim organizations over
the start of Idul Fitri did not disturb the celebration as a
majority of Muslims in the country accepted the government's
announcement that it officially began on Friday. Many Muslims,
especially supporters of Muhammadiyah in Yogyakarta and Solo,
started celebrating on Thursday.

Thousands flocked to family recreation and entertainment
centers, including zoos and swimming pools on Saturday, the
second day of Idul Fitri.

"We are a low-income family and I brought my three children to
the Gembira Loka zoo for entertainment after the 30-day fast,"
said Umi Soemarno, wife of a taxi driver in Yogyakarta.

Muslims in conflict-ridden regions such as Papua, Ambon and
Aceh also celebrated Idul Fitri in a similar fashion as those in
other regions.

Meanwhile, the Oct. 12 Bali terror attacks that claimed almost
200 people and wounded more than 320 others, along with the bomb
blast in Makassar have been a slap in Islam's face for many here
as the prime suspects are all Indonesian Muslims.

Many foreign countries have given their full support for the
government's move to fight terrorism in Indonesia.

The two largest Muslim organizations Nadhlatul Ulama and
Muhammadiyah called on all their followers to maintain national
unity and promote peace among religious communities despite the
bombings that involved the minority extreme groups.

Former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid and Muhammadiyah
Chairman Ahmad Sjafii Maarif were of the same opinion that the
incidents could have a strengthening affect on the unity among
Muslims and religious communities in the country.