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.