Mosque yard good enough for Abkar

Mosque yard good enough for Abkar

JAKARTA (JP): All religions teach that everyone is equal
before God. House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung and
Deputy Speaker Muhaimin Iskandar conceded just that when they
said their Friday prayers.

A packed Baiturrahman Mosque at the House compound left no
room for the two late arrivals, forcing them to perform their
religious duty in mosque's yard.

Some Golkar legislators, including Priyo Budisantoso, Ali
Yahya and Yamin Tawari, were also seated outside the mosque, just
a yard away from Akbar and Muhaimin.

But Akbar looked undisturbed and listened to the sermon
carefully. He was even unmoved when Muhaimin arrived and sat near
him.

"It is very unusual to see the House speaker and deputy
speaker say their Friday prayers in the yard. They used to send
their adjutants to reserve a place for them," a staff member of
the mosque told Antara.

The mosque saw a rare large turnout on Friday as many
legislators attending the People's Consultative Assembly wanted
to save time. They had to resume their session at 2 p.m., giving
them just about an hour for lunch and to rest after saying their
prayers. (dja)