'Takbir Akbar' to be held at Monas

JAKARTA: Takbir Akbar will be held on the eve of Idul Fitri on Dec. 15 at the National Monument (Monas) square in Central Jakarta and will be joined by a number of well-known performing artists.

Riza Primadi, the public relations chief of the organizing committee, said over the weekend that the artists included Dwiki Dharmawan, Farhan, Maudy, Titiek Puspa, Yana Yulio, Ikke Nurjanah, Cici Paramita, AB Three, Chrisye, Hadad Alwi and Sulis, Binu Sukaman and GSP under the leadership of Guruh Soekarnoputra.

The Takbir Akbar is a prayer celebration in the evening of the last day of the fasting month of Ramadhan, to herald the Idul Fitri holiday. During the ceremony participants chant praises to Allah, drums are beat endlessly, dances, songs and prayers are offered; and sermons are given in public displays of rapture and praise.

Riza, according to Antara, also said that President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Vice President Hamzah Haz were to attend the ceremony.--JP