Peace reigns during Idul Fitri

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Tens of millions of Muslims throughout the country celebrated the post-fasting Idul Fitri festivities peacefully on Sunday, with Muslims in the volatile towns of Ambon in Maluku and Poso in Central Sulawesi performing their Idul Fitri prayers without any reported disturbances.

Thousands of Muslims in Ambon town performed the Idul Fitri prayer at 7 a.m. at Al Fatah Grand Mosque under tight security.

During the Idul Fitri prayers, police personnel and soldiers stood guard at virtually all mosques and churches in the town, where religious clashes have claimed thousands of lives over the last three years.

The prayers, which were led by Ahmad Bantam, were also attended by Maluku Governor M.S. Latuconsina, along with high- ranking local government officials.

For the Islamic faithful, performing the Idul Fitri prayers is essential to show gratitude to God following the chance to purify during the fasting month, Ramadhan. Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim country.

Peace also prevailed in Poso, Central Sulawesi province, where fighting stemming from sectarian differences has killed more than one thousand people since it broke out in 1998.

Instead, there was only harmony as tens of thousands of Muslims, coming from the town and its surrounding areas, flocked to mosques and soccer fields to perform the Idul Fitri prayers.

In the restive province of Aceh, Idul Fitri prayers also went peacefully, with Governor Abdullah Puteh inviting fellow Muslims to reconcile, if nothing else, for the sake of forging a more tolerant, civil society.

"With the wisdom of Idul Fitri, let's create a reconciliation in all aspects of life, for the sake of the creation of a civil society in Nanggroe Aceh Darrussalam," he said at the Baiturrahman grand mosque on Sunday.

The Idul Fitri celebration in Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, where ethnic conflict also broke out early this year, took place in a peaceful atmosphere, too.

Local Muslim communities organized a series of religious activities and traditions, including meeting and greeting friends and/or relatives.

Governor Asmawi Agani welcomed local officials, public figures and children from orphanages.

In the capital city, Jakarta, Idul Fitri prayers were performed solemnly on Sunday morning.

The prayers, which commenced simultaneously at around 7 a.m., were performed in mosques and soccer fields in some areas.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Vice President Hamzah Haz joined thousands of Muslims at the Istiqlal Mosque in Central Jakarta. Foreign diplomats, legislators, and Cabinet members were among those in attendance.

Sunday's Idul Fitri prayer at the Istiqlal Grand Mosque was led by Mirwan Batubara, the country's former best Koran reciter, and the Idul Fitri sermon was delivered by Muslimin Nasution, a lecturer of the postgraduate department at the state Institute of Islamic Studies (IAIN) Syarif Hidayatullah, Jakarta.

After the prayers, Megawati left the Istiqlal Mosque and headed straight for Merdeka Palace, where she received guests and members of the public, who wished to convey their Idul Fitri greetings to the first family.

On the eve of the Idul Fitri festivity, Megawati, Hamzah and People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais attended the tabligh akbar (mass gathering) service at National Monument square in Central Jakarta. Several top singers also took part in the ritual.

Former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid performed the Idul Fitri prayer at Al-Munawaroh mosque located inside his residential compound in the suburb of Ciganjur, South Jakarta.

In his remarks, Gus Dur said that, in celebrating this year's Idul Fitri, Indonesian Muslims were weeping due to the prolonged economic crisis.

"I have observed that, in some markets, the most sold items are only children's wear. (Although hit by economic crisis) as Muslims, we have to praise the Idul Fitri," Gus Dur said, as quoted by Antara.

The prayer session had an audience of at least 1,000 Muslims hailing from nearby areas, including Depok and Pasar Minggu. Nahdlatul Ulama figure Said Aqil Siradj led the prayers.

Unlike in previous years, Idul Fitri prayers were performed quietly at the residence of ailing former president Soeharto on Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta.

Only a few people participated at the Idul Fitri prayers held in Soeharto's housing compound, while the latter did not show up due to his illness.

After the prayers, several guests, including former vice president Umar Wirahadikusumah, his successor Try Sutrisno and former military chief Wiranto, were seen visiting Soeharto, whose youngest son, Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, is still in police custody on murder and other charges.

In Semarang, Central Java, which is the axis, as well as the crossroads for travelers bound for Yogyakarta, Surakarta and Surabaya, things were getting calmer on Sunday. Shopping malls and department stores had closed to allow employees the opportunity to celebrate Idul Fitri with family members back home.