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)