Joyful sermons urged for Idul Fitri

Joyful sermons urged for Idul Fitri

JAKARTA (JP): The head of the City's Ministry of Religious
Affairs Office, Bidawi Zubir called on Moslem preachers to
deliver joyful sermons to their congregations during the Idul
Fitri prayers on Sunday.

Supporting an appeal from the Minister of Religious Affairs
Tarmizi Taher, Bidawi said preaching "terrible" sermons at such a
sacred event would be improper.

The Moslems needed something "cool and fresh", and while no
one could dictate how the preachers speak to their congregations,
they should be wise in choosing their topics, he said.

Records indicate at least 1,200 Moslem figures are ready to
preach at the Idul Fitri prayers throughout the city, Antara
reported yesterday.

East Jakarta has 366 places, including mosques, for the Idul
Fitri prayer, while there are 336 sites in South Jakarta, 226 in
North Jakarta and 76 in West Jakarta.

Noted Moslem proselytizer Zainuddin M.Z. will speak at Senayan
eastern parking lot, Central Jakarta. An estimated 200,000 people
are expected to flood the parking lot, including outstanding
Yogyakarta poet Emha Ainun Nadjib, dangdut musician Rhoma Irama
and rock musician Setiawan Djody. The latter is organizing the
gathering, the seventh in a row arranged by the businessman.
(sur/amd)

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