Moslem leaders to set date for Idul Fitri

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher said yesterday the Idul Fitri holiday would most likely fall as scheduled on Jan. 30.

The final decision on the holiday, which will mark the completion of the 30-day Ramadhan fasting month will be taken on Wednesday.

Ramadhan started on Dec. 31.

The ministry will hold an Istbat meeting Wednesday. During the meeting various Moslems mass organization will cross-check the results of their sighting of the crescent moon and their calendar estimations, he said.

"The meeting will also be attended by various Islamic mass organizations including Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI), the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah," Tarmizi said after meeting with President Soeharto at his private residence on Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta.

Muhammadiyah chairman Amien Rais said earlier this month that the Idul Fitri holiday would fall on Jan. 29. The government puts it on Jan. 30.

In 1994, NU told its 30 million followers to celebrate Idul Fitri on March 11, one day earlier than the official date.

According to Tarmizi, attention must not be drawn to the difference in dates because most Moslem scholars have said that Idul Fitri is on Jan 30.

"In the public's interest, it will be the government who will decide on the date," he said at his office.

Tarmizi also disclosed yesterday that Soeharto would lead the first takbir (praise to Allah), marking the end of Ramadhan, in a mass gathering at the National Monument (Monas), Central Jakarta, Thursday evening. (10/prb)