Thousands crowd Jakarta's Istiqlal for free meat

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Thousands of poor people packed the Istiqlal Grand Mosque in Central Jakarta and struggled to get a share of the free meat being distributed to mark the celebration of the Islamic Day of Sacrifice, Idul Adha on Thursday.

Anisah, 7, attempted to calm her two-year-old brother who kept crying and looking for his mother, who was jostling with the crowd under the morning drizzle for the handout of less than one kilogram of meat.

"My mother is queuing there to get free meat," said Anisah, who was shivering, while carrying her little brother back and forth.

Many women along with crying babies were seen in the queue, braving the rain. Some pregnant women and elderly people also joined the crowd.

As more people flocked to the mosque, the crowd grew and some got lost among the sea of people.

"Attention please. Ibu Wati please come to the stage. Your baby is crying as his milk has run out," said the announcer.

The small stage was erected near the place where the meat was distributed, from where the prayer committee recited the takbir (call for prayer) and made announcements.

Meat is unaffordable for most people of low income. The price of beef ranges from between Rp 38,000 (US$3.7) a kilogram to Rp 45,000, while goat meat is priced at between Rp 33,000 a kilogram to Rp 35,000 in the market.

"It has been so long since my family ate meat, not since I was dismissed from my last job as a taxi driver in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, a couple months ago," said Sutardan, 40, a father of five now sells small items like nail cutters and stationary at city bus terminals or on the sidewalk.

The meat would only last a day, he said.

In order to give his family a special dish, Sutardan, a resident of Kota, Central Jakarta, went to the mosque on foot before dawn.

Other people did the same.

"I've been here since 4 a.m. walking from Senen market as I'm afraid I wouldn't get a coupon (to be exchanged with the free meat)," said Paniyem, 60, who wore a tattered shirt and was not wearing shoes.

The mosque issued 2,000 coupons, according to an employee.

The impatient crowd nearly stampeded when the steel barrier separating the people and the butchers was destroyed as people forced their way into the area.

Fortunately, within seconds security officers managed to control the crowd.

The chief of Sawah Besar Police subprecinct, Comr. Mamat Surahmat said four companies of 600 personnel had been deployed to provide security.

"Many officers are deployed in anticipation of a possible stampede as happened last year," Mamat said.

Tens of thousands of people performed prayers at the mosque.

Istiqlal slaughtered 10 cows and 23 goats donated from top government officials.

Last year, the mosque butchered seven cows and 10 goats.

Even though plenty of meat was available, many people complained that they could not get any meat.

"I cannot get the meat as I couldn't get a coupon. The officers say the coupons are finished," said a weary mother who had just arrived at the mosque.

In fact some of the meat fell into the wrong hands.

Some people who could not really be categorized as destitute or poor were seen carrying two to three plastic bags of meat.

A Padang satay vendor who ran his business in a makeshift kiosk adjacent to the mosque, even joined the queue and obtained the meat which would likely be resold.