Solemnity marks Idul Fitri festivities

Solemnity marks Idul Fitri festivities

JAKARTA (JP): Millions of Muslims in the capital celebrated
the Idul Fitri holiday on Saturday and Sunday in a solemn and
peaceful mood.

Mosques, sports fields and parking lots were packed on
Saturday morning as people said the Idul Fitri prayer.

With almost two million Jakarta residents celebrating the
holiday in their respective hometowns, most of the city's main
thoroughfares were empty during the two days. Many shops and
shopping centers were also closed.

Rain hit several spots in the capital on Saturday morning.

There was heavy traffic congestion in Pasar Rebo in East
Jakarta, and Pasar Minggu, Kalibata, Pondok Labu, Lebak Bulus,
Kebayoran Lama and Ciputat in South Jakarta as families thronged
recreation areas, such as Ragunan Zoo in South Jakarta, Taman Ria
Senayan recreational park in Central Jakarta, Indonesia in
Miniature Park in East Jakarta and Ancol Dreamland in North
Jakarta.

Heavy traffic was also observed on Sunday.

The Indonesia in Miniature Park received a total of 40,515
visitors on Saturday and 80,000 on Sunday.

Meanwhile, police and hospital staff said there were few
crimes reported over the two days.

However, an ax-wielding gang struck on Saturday at what is
locally known as the Coca-Cola crossroads in Rawasari, East
Jakarta. They smashed the windows of several cars, making off
with valuables of the vehicles' occupants.

The celebration of Idul Fitri, or Lebaran as it is known
locally, to mark the end of the month-long Ramadhan fasting month
started on Friday evening when thousands of Muslims, particularly
teenagers, took to the streets in trucks, buses and private cars
in the takbiran (recitation of Allah is great) parade.

Besides using loud speakers, most of the people banged bedug
(drum), blew paper trumpets and set off firecrackers to voice
their joy.

Firecrackers

Like the New Year's street celebrations, most of the crowd
flocked to the huge Monas park in Central Jakarta, which later
led to rival groups engaged in throwing firecrackers.

At least two people, Agus Muryadi of Setiabudi, and Rachmat
Hidayat of Cawang, both 18, were severely wounded by firecrackers
at the park.

One man, Solchin, 19, was wounded in the leg after falling
from a speeding truck during the takbir.

Antara reported that 25 local artists, including Eko Patrio,
Monica Oemardi and Viny Alvionita, also was part of a convoy to
visit veteran artists and distribute gifts to poor children.

For the Idul Fitri prayer on Saturday morning, President
Abdurrahman Wahid, First Lady Sinta Nuriyah, Vice President
Megawati Soekarnoputri, her husband Taufik Keimas and their
families prayed along with tens of thousands of others at
Istiqlal Grand Mosque in Central Jakarta.

Former president Soeharto and his family said the prayer at
At-Tin Mosque in the Indonesia in Miniature Park complex.

Soeharto was accompanied by his half-brother businessman
Probosutedjo at the prayer, which was also attended by local
residents.

Many people tried to shake hands with Soeharto after the
prayer but were prevented by a heavy security detail.

Probosutedjo did not reply when asked by reporters about
Soeharto's plan for Idul Fitri.

After the prayer, Abdurrahman and Megawati celebrated their
first Idul Fitri as the country's leaders with an open house to
receive well-wishers, including members of the public, at their
respective official residences.

The President's visitors included Umar Wahid, his younger
brother and chief of the presidential medical team. He led his
relatives -- including a distant uncle whose duty is to keep all
of Abdurrahman's favorite kris -- in greeting the first family.

Ambassadors

After receiving relatives and family friends, the first family
received Cabinet members and ambassadors. Singapore's ambassador
to Indonesia Edward Lee was their first foreign guest.

The presence of former military commander and minister of
defense and security Gen. (ret) Benny Moerdani attracted
attention. Benny was accompanied by his close friend, businessman
Robby "Ketek" Sumampouw.

Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Gen.
Wiranto and wife Uga also attended.

The Vice President's official residence on Jl. Diponegoro,
Central Jakarta, was also packed with well-wishers, including
Cabinet members, diplomats and businesspeople.

Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso was accompanied by his wife and
daughters.

As with past Idul Fitri celebrations, many taxi drivers took
the opportunity of few public transportation vehicles on the
roads to double or triple their fares.

"Usually I spend Rp 10,000 to Kemang from here (Pondok Labu in
South Jakarta). But this time the driver asked me to pay him Rp
25,000. I had no choice. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to meet my
relatives to ask for forgiveness," said passenger Sudharmo, who
was with his wife and three children.

A fire in Rawa Sawah in Central Jakarta on the first day of
Idul Fitri razed 30 houses. No casualties were reported in the
incident.

Central Jakarta Police chief Arya Perdana said the cause of
the fire and material losses were still under investigation.

"There are two pieces of information on the cause of the fire
which we received from witnesses. The first witness said the fire
was caused by a short circuit, while another attributed it to the
explosion of firecrackers. However, the cause is still under
investigation." (bsr/prb/ylt/06/ind)