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