Sermon planed for New Year's Eve

YOGYAKARTA: In response to the local administration's call for quiet New Year's Eve celebrations, the state-owned Natour Garuda Hotel is offering a special religious package, with an Islamic arts performance.

"We will invite, among others, noted preacher Kosim Nurseha from Jakarta and the famous Qasidah (Middle Eastern music) band Nasidaria from Semarang," Natour's marketing manager, Waluyo, said Tuesday at a press conference.

New Year's Eve celebrations coincide with the first day of the Moslem's fasting month Ramadhan. Governor Paku Alam VIII has ordered local hotels and restaurants not to serve alcohol during celebrations to respect the holy month.

Natour Garuda Hotel, therefore, is offering an alcohol-free package costing Rp 150,000 (US$30) per person, which will cover a breaking of the fast meal and saur (predawn meal). A mass Tarawih prayer, which is done every evening during Ramadhan, is also among the offered services.

"This is a rare and monumental occasion. Therefore, we would like to offer something special as well," Waluyo said, adding that the package is the first it has ever offered.

So far, said Waluyo, 25 percent of the 400 tickets available have been sold.

A special package of a three-day-two-night hotel stay is also offered for those who want to spend the year's end in the hotel. The saur meals are included.

This twin-share Rp 350,000 package also includes the New Year's Eve package. (swa)