Sermon planed for New Year's Eve

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)