President Soeharto leads the first 'Takbir'
President Soeharto leads the first 'Takbir'
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto led the first takbir (praise
to Allah), marking the end of Ramadhan and the coming of Idul
Fitri celebrations, in a mass gathering at the National Monument
(Monas) park Saturday.
The President chanted Allahu Akbar (God is Great) repeatedly
after striking Indonesia's largest bedug (traditional drum) in a
rhythmical beat. The bedug was specially brought from an old
mosque in Bantul regency, Yogyakarta.
"Let's observe Idul Fitri by forgiving each other. Through
this forum I ask to be forgiven (by all Indonesian people)," the
President said.
Vice President Try Sutrisno, Minister of Religious Affairs
Tarmizi Taher, Jakarta Governor Surjadi Soedirdja, chairman of
the Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) Hasan Basri and Probo
Sutedjo, the organizing committee chairman attended the grand
event which cost Rp 1.6 billion (US$666,944).
Zaenuddin MZ, the most popular Moslem preacher, dangdut singer
Rhoma Irama plus composer and artist Emha Ainun Nadjib also took
to the stage.
The first takbir was then continued by about 2,000 Moslem
students.
The President officially started the event at 7.30 p.m. but
thousands began flocking to the area from about 3 p.m.
People went to Monas in private cars, by public transport and
in open trucks.
The event eventually caused traffic congestion in the Monas
park area.
At 5:15 p.m., preacher Zaenuddin M.Z. and singer Rhoma Irama
started the ceremony with their sermons, congratulating Moslems
for their success in fasting which they called "the battle
against evil".
The audience was then absorbed in a prayer led by MUI deputy
chairman Ali Yafie.
The mood of brotherhood among them was strong when they broke
their last day of fasting together after saying the Magrib (dusk)
prayer.
The light was slowly diminishing and the shape a giant Mosque
with nine domes appeared.
The domes depicted nine Wali, charismatic religious teachers
who disseminated Islam in Java from the 14th to the 16th century.
The stage was surrounded by 27 bedug depicting Indonesia's 27
provinces.
Noted artist and poet Emha Ainun Nadjib heightened the
religious atmosphere with his poetry glorifying Allah.
Shortly after the President and Vice President left, Governor
Surjadi pushed a siren marking the beginning of the 25-minute
display of fireworks and the start of a procession of 520 trucks
full of passengers.
The number of trucks and vehicles involved in the procession
grew as motorists took part.
Idul Fitri eve was also hectic for the zakat fitrah (alms)
committees because, according to Islamic teaching, Moslems are
obliged to pay alms after completing their fast.
Alms were given in the form of 2.5 kilos of good rice or the
amount of money the rice costs, for each individual.
Amananto and H.M. Anwar, chairman of the alms collection
committee at the Sunda Kelapa and Al Azhar mosques, said people
preferred to pay in cash.
"Moslems consider tonight as an ideal time to pay their alms.
So, they come here and we can't refuse them. We should distribute
the alms to the poor, orphans and those eligible before
midnight," Amananto said Saturday.
About 40 members of Pondok Indah mosque went to nearby
kampongs to get first hand information on who would receive the
alms.
The City deployed 13,592 police, military officers and
officers from the City Land Transportation Control Agency, to
secure Idul Fitri festivities. The operation began Jan. 28, and
will end Feb. 29.
Accidents marred the event and the Cipto Mangunkusumo Public
Hospital recorded one death and 17 injured people on Idul Fitri
eve.
Seven surgeons, six interns and 23 nurses were on night duty
at the hospital on Idul Fitri eve. (ste/11/anr)