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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