Muslims to start fasting on Sunday

Muslims to start fasting on Sunday

JAKARTA (JP): The Ramadhan fasting month will begin on Sunday,
Minister of Religious Affairs Malik Fadjar announced on Friday.

Following a meeting of mathematics experts and representatives
from major Muslim organizations, the ministry issued decree No.
654/Dec. 18, 1998 which said that the first day of Ramadhan of
the year 1419 Hijr falls on Dec. 20.

Among the organizations represented were the Indonesian
Council of Ulemas, Nahdlatul Ulama, and Muhammadiyah. Another
major organization, the Islamic Propagation Council, was also
represented and agreed with the outcome of the meeting.

The council in the past regularly differed with the majority
of Islamic organizations regarding the start and end of Ramadhan,
but even more often regarding the date for Idul Adha -- another
Islamic holy day which marks the peak of the haj rite in Saudi
Arabia.

Council leader Hussein Umar said differences were
understandable since the determination of those dates was based
on both mathematical calculations and the sighting of the new
moon.

"We'll start Ramadhan on the same day with the other
organizations this year," he said. "It's so much better to start
and end something together."

Malik also expressed his happiness because of the agreement.
"Last year, there were differences in the calculations, but
that's all normal," he said.

Malik called for Muslims to make Ramadhan a month of
repentance. "The fasting month is the right time to (work to)
free this nation from the crisis ... Let's all go back to the way
of truth and humanity."

He called on Muslims to be more sensitive of other people.
"The use of loudspeakers during Adzan (calls for prayer) or
preaching, for instance... don't be too loud," he said.

Commenting on possible street rallies during the fasting
month, Malik said that in this reform era all parties must learn
to tolerate one another.

"Expressing opinions does not always have to be done through
demonstrations. Let's talk things out, dialog is important.

"If they (students) insist on rallying on the streets, please
do it in an orderly manner. Don't get involved in physical
clashes," he said.

The chairman of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) Ali Yafie
called for unity.

"Tolerance among religious people is essential. I am calling
on Muslims to respect other people and avoid violence," he said.

"I am not saying that students should not demonstrate, but
when possible, replace the protests with prayers. This country
needs much prayer in order to survive the crisis." (edt/swe)