Mosque attendance rises during Ramadhan

JAKARTA: During the fasting month of Ramadhan, congregations for Friday prayers have increased significantly at several mosques around the city.

Some 2,000 to 2,500 people attended the first Friday prayer of Ramadhan at Istiqlal Grand Mosque, Central Jakarta, as compared to the usual figure of between 1,000 and 1,500 people, according to Suherman, an employee there.

A similar trend was evident at Al Azhar mosque in South Jakarta where the congregation increased by up to 100 percent. Usually around 1,000 people attended the Friday prayer, said Kasman, an employee at the mosque.

"I think Muslims try to pray more during Ramadhan because this is the holy month," he said. --JP