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)