The Idul Fitri spirit

Idul Fitri, which falls either tomorrow or Friday, is always regarded as a time to rejoice. It is a most appropriate way to mark the end of the Ramadhan fasting month, during which Moslems are required to control their emotions and exercise restraint as a way of bringing themselves closer to their Creator.

Refraining from eating and drinking and abstinence from sex between dawn and dusk for 29 or 30 days is one of the physical means to attain these spiritual goals. The extra prayers that Moslems conduct during the month, the giving of zakat fitrah, or alms at the end of Ramadhan, and participation in a mass Idul Fitri prayer make up the rest of the package.

Those who pass the Ramadhan tests can rightfully claim victory -- especially victory over one's self -- and mark Idul Fitri in the way Moslems in this country have always done, or anyone would after a victory: by rejoicing in it. The celebration, the feast, the get-together with family and friends, the greetings, and the seeking and giving forgiveness are what Idul Fitri is all about.

This year is no exception. Most people will celebrate Idul Fitri in spite of the current economic crisis. The exodus of urban people heading to their home villages these past few days attests to the importance most people attach to tradition even in the most difficult of times: celebrating Idul Fitri with their loved ones, and touching base with their roots.

The steady sales of foodstuff, including coconut leaves to make ketupat rice cakes, indicate that the traditional feast will go ahead for most people. The less-than-average turnover reported by traders of consumer goods indicates that the celebration this year will be tempered with a dose of economic reality.

It is Idul Fitri minus the frills. The recession may dampen the celebration a little, but not the spirit of Idul Fitri.

For most people, this year's Idul Fitri comes at the most difficult of times. For the nation, this is the worst economic recession in three decades. By the look of things, the economy will further deteriorate in the next few months as more people are expected to lose their jobs, and inflation will erode people's incomes and purchasing power.

There are already indications that some of the home revelers will not have jobs to return to when they make their way back to the cities. In past weeks there have been ugly signs of stress creeping into the nation's life due to the hard times. There was the panic-buying by shoppers, the hoarding of staple foods by consumers and traders, the sporadic riots and looting in several East Java towns because of fears of food shortages, not to mention the slandering, backstabbing and finding of scapegoats among some of our leaders and politicians over the crisis.

These are symptoms of a nation in deep trouble, and unless something is done to contain them, things could get even uglier. While our leaders and politicians grapple with the problems, at a time like this, the rest of the nation needs to muster all its strengths, perhaps more particularly its spiritual strengths, to pull us through the difficult times ahead.

Today, the message of Idul Fitri and its entire package has become even more relevant, more so than at any other time. The festive mood is only one aspect of Idul Fitri. The message also implores everyone to continue the practice of self-control, restraint and perseverance even when Ramadhan is over. The fasting month is intended as a time for us to practice these virtues, and inculcate ourselves with the noble spirits.

Most of us have had the benefit of practicing these virtues for the past month. Now, we are challenged to implement them, for our own sake, and for the nation's.