Muslims prepare to mark Idul Fitri on Saturday

Muslims prepare to mark Idul Fitri on Saturday

JAKARTA (JP): The estimated 9 million Muslims in Jakarta are
preparing to celebrate the arrival of Idul Fitri with mass
prayers on Saturday.

As is customary, the Idul Fitri morning prayer will take place
at about 7 a.m. at mosques, sports fields and parking lots across
the city.

After the prayer, which lasts for less than 15 minutes, the
congregation will hear sermons, which normally last for one or
two hours. Following this, Muslims across the city traditionally
visit relatives and friends to ask for forgiveness.

For several years now, some Muslims in the city have
celebrated Idul Fitri, known locally as Lebaran, one day earlier
than other Muslims. This discrepancy occurs because of
differences in hisab (determining the start of Idul Fitri through
mathematical calculations) or rukyatul hilal (determining when
the fasting month of Ramadhan ends and the Syawal Islamic lunar
month begins based on the sighting of the new moon).

Several others follow the Saudi Arabian government, which
often begins the fasting month of Ramadhan one day earlier than
Indonesia.

Sofyan Amahoru, chairman of the Indonesian Council of Islamic
Propagation (DDII), said his organization would say their Idul
Fitri prayer on Saturday as determined by the government on
Thursday evening based on the rukyatul hilal.

In the past, DDII often celebrated Idul Fitri, which marks the
end of the fasting month of Ramadhan, one day earlier than the
start date determined by the government.

Commenting on the decision of other Muslims in some cities and
towns in Java to celebrate Idul Fitri on Friday, Sofyan said this
would not violate Islamic rules.

"Time differences are common because of the use of different
references in defining the date of Idul Fitri," he said.

The following is a tentative lineup for Idul Fitri morning
prayers at major mosques and fields in Jakarta, Tangerang and
Bogor. (06/24/bsr)

Istiqlal Grand Mosque on Jl. Perwira in Central Jakarta
Imam: K.H. Sayyid Muhammad Assiri
Preacher: Prof. Dr. Sayid Agil Husein Al Munawar from the State
Institute for Islamic Studies (IAIN Jakarta)

Al Azhar Grand Mosque on Jl. Sisingamangaraja in South Jakarta
Imam: H. Muhsin Salim, SQ
Preacher: Prof. Dr. H. Nurcholis Madjid

Sunda Kelapa Grand Mosque on Jl. Taman Sunda Kelapa in Central
Jakarta
Imam: H. Abu Salim
Preacher: Prof. Dr. Azyumardi Azra

Islamic Village Mosque on Jl. Raya Karawaci in Curug, Tangerang
Imam: Naziri Al Sansuri
Preacher: Ridwan Ibrahim Lubis

Amaliah Mosque on Jl. Raya Tol Ciawi in Bogor
Imam: H. Tubagus Makmun Zein
Preacher: K. Abdulah Alwalhi

Bogor Grand Mosque on Jl. Pajajaran in Bogor
Imam: H. Bahrul Ulum
Preacher: K.H. Adam Ibrahim

Agung Mosque on Jl. Dewi Sartika in Bogor
Imam: Syafiq Affandi
Preacher: K.H. Usman Sirojudin

At-Taqwa Mosque at Bogor City Hall on Jl. H. Juanda
Imam: Idim Taufiq
Preacher: K.H. Chaer Saleh

Senayan's Eastern Parking Lot at Senayan Sports Complex in Cen
tral Jakarta
Imam: Unknown
Preacher: K.H. Zainuddin MZ

Parking lot of Proyek Senen market in Central Jakarta. This
prayer is organized by DDII
Imam: B. Sutisna
Preacher: Ali Al Himam