Moslems observe Idul Adha rite with passion

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Moslems gathered in mosques, open fields, schools and office compounds yesterday to say the Idul Adha (Islamic Day of Sacrifice) prayers.

Besides the prayers and distribution of meat to the poor, residents of Balekambang and Batu Ampar subdistricts in Condet, East Jakarta, staged a traditional Betawi music, Tanjidor and ondel-ondel (Betawi puppet) show in celebration of the holy day.

Most residents went home and ate ketupat (cubes of steamed rice wrapped in palm leaves), after saying their prayers and listening to sermons from preachers.

Some of them watched goats and cows being slaughtered as sacrifices in the name of Allah the Almighty, then helped distribute the meat to the needy.

The meat was a treat for struggling families who have not been able to afford it because of skyrocketing prices.

Ibu Mien, 42, said she was glad to receive half a kilogram of goat meat or beef.

"Ever since the crisis, our family eats very little meat... maybe once or twice a week. We used to be able to afford it every day," Mien of Kampung Muka, a slum community in Kampong Bandan Ancol, North Jakarta, said.

The neighborhood received a donation of 12 goats and a cow. A kilo of meat was distributed to each of the 400 households.

Komari, a mother of two, said she had not had meat in her kitchen for a long time.

"We used to be able to buy a piece of chicken for Rp 500. Now, that's impossible," she said.

"All we eat now is tofu, tempeh and sayur kangkung (water spinach)."

The city's high-ranking officials, including Governor Sutiyoso, Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata and Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, performed their prayers mostly at their respective office compounds.

At the prayers held in front of City Hall on Jl. Merdeka Selatan, Central Jakarta, Sutiyoso said that despite the monetary crisis, residents should maintain solidarity.

"I'm glad that even in a troubled time like this, the city still manages to provide adequate cattle to be sacrificed on this holy day," Sutiyoso said.

The city administration handed over 1,503 goats and 296 head of cattle yesterday to be slaughtered at Cakung slaughterhouse in East Jakarta, the administration's spokesman, Kamaludin Santos, said.

The sacrificial meat was distributed to the city's lowest- ranking civil servants, cleaning service workers and other poor citizens.

Sjafrie, who attended the Idul Adha prayer at Cilangkap, East Jakarta, gave the meat of nine cows and 71 goats to needy people.

He underlined the importance of showing a sense of social cohesion among the people and caring not only on Idul Adha but in their daily lives.

He also reiterated his message for all Jakartans not to be easily distracted by rumors created by irresponsible parties.

Hamami, who witnessed the slaughter of 96 head of cattle at Jakarta Police headquarters, urged residents and police officers to distribute the meat equally.

On Monday night, Moslems performed Takbir (where they repeated the words "Allah the Almighty" throughout the night). But the streets were almost empty.

"Maybe it's because of the economic crisis. Only a few cars took part in the parades," a police officer was quoted by Antara as saying. (jun/02/ind/edt)