The Idul Fitri spirit

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.