Jakartans visist graves, shop on eve of Ramadhan

Jakartans visist graves, shop on eve of Ramadhan

JAKARTA (JP): Muslim Jakartans marked the last day before the
start of the Ramadhan fasting month on Saturday by visiting the
graves of late relatives, seeking apologies from them and going
shopping for the first sahur (dawn meals).

Crowds of people were seen in all Muslim public cemeteries and
major markets in the capital, causing heavy traffic congestion in
the respective areas.

Cemeteries at Pondok Labu and Tanah Kusir in South Jakarta and
Karet Bivak in Central Jakarta, for example, were even crowded
with the appearance of the huge numbers of flower traders, food
vendors and beggars.

On the contrary, many of the city's main thoroughfares were
fairly quiet although cordons of soldiers, police and armed
personnel carriers were still seen at several spots.

At the Hotel Indonesia roundabout, a group of a few protesters
staged a quick and peaceful rally in the afternoon, voicing
opposition to student rallies during the fasting month.

Some Muslim Jakartans started their busy day on Saturday by
visiting their older relatives asking for forgiveness before
together heading to cemeteries to pray for their deceased.

Many of the Muslims believed that observing such a tradition
could help them "cleanse themselves" before entering the holy
month of Ramadhan.

A city employee at the Cilincing district office in North
Jakarta, Ahmadin, with his wife and three children impatiently
waited for a bus that would take them to the house of Ahmadin's
eldest brother in Pramuka, East Jakarta.

"My day is fully occupied today as I wish to visit my
relatives to seek forgiveness and to pray at a cemetery for my
late relatives," he said.

After that, "my wife plans to spend time buying foodstuffs for
our first sahur this (Sunday) morning," Ahmadin, who was wearing
a batik shirt, black kopiah (cap), continued, while nervously
looking for the passing buses.

The Ahamdins had just visited his parents-in-law in Tanjung
Priok, North Jakarta.

Rita from Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, was also on her way to
pay homage to her parents at Cawang, East Jakarta, to seek their
forgiveness.

"Such a visit is required before we perform fasting during
Ramadhan," she said.

According to her, she and her parents would later "pay a
visit" to the graves of her beloved grandparents buried at the
Karet Bivak cemetery.

As at the other cemeteries, the Karet Bivak cemetery was
heavily packed with thousands of Muslim families.

The same hectic atmosphere was also seen at the traditional
markets of, for example, Senen in Central Jakarta, and Jatinegara
in East Jakarta. As usual, many of the people complained that
food prices have been slightly hiked by the traders, who in
response argued that the prices were already increased by the
distributors.

Most of the visitors crowded into shops selling foodstuffs and
Muslim apparel.

At the busy market of Senen many of the visitors left the site
with packages of things like powder and margarine in their
shopping bags.

"I want to make special cakes for my family tonight to mark
the first day of Ramadhan," said Yuliska, 24, an employee of a
privately owned bank.

Owner of a shop selling Muslim prayer accessories, Sri, said
many of her goods, especially the prayer cloth for female
Muslims, had sold well during the day.

"Some say that they buy them for donation," she said.

At Jatinegara, motorists were trapped in about one kilometer
long traffic congestion as sidewalk vendors occupied almost half
of Jl. Matraman Raya and Jl. Bekasi Barat. (ind)