Thousands offer special prayers at Istiqlal mosque

JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of Moslems gathered at the grand Istiqlal mosque yesterday to praise God on the 50th anniversary of Indonesia's independence.

Men and women, old and young solemnly bowed in surrender to God's will after their Friday prayers, led by the mosque's leader Nasrullah Jamaluddin.

Among the attendants was Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Thahir, chairman of Indonesian Ulemas Council Hasan Basri and one of Indonesia's most popular preachers, K.H. Zainuddin M.Z.

Chairman of the Indonesian Council of Ulemas Hasan Basri read out the offering of gratitude to God after the religious rituals.

All Indonesian Moslems deeply thank God for the 50th anniversary of Indonesia's Independence, Hasan said.

To give thanks for the 50th anniversary of our country we have to do more than just speak and have joyful activities. We have to make a real effort to give substance to our independence by increasing ukhuwah Islamiyah, or Islamic solidarity, harmony among religious believers and social conscience, Hasan said.

Ritual

Meanwhile, Minister Tarmizi Thahir pointed out that about 600,000 Moslems all over the country performed a similar ritual to commemorate the country's golden anniversary.

The minister also reminded the Moslems of Indonesia, the nation with the largest Moslem population in the world, of their role.

"Indonesian Moslems, as the majority, not only have greater prerogatives but also greater obligations to give substance to independence," Tarmizi said.

The ceremony closed with a sermon by K.H. Zainuddin M.Z, known as the "preacher of a million followers".

In his sermon, Zainuddin put stress on future challenges faced by Indonesian Moslems to give meaning to the country's independence.

"Indonesian Moslems should not be off guard concerning independence. We have to give substance to our independence by engaging in useful activities for the sake of national development. It is one of our ways to appreciate what the founding fathers have done for this country," Zainuddin said.

To mark the 50th anniversary, Indonesia's Catholics also plan to hold a mass congregation, sponsored by the Indonesian Catholic Council and the Indonesian Armed Forces.

The mass is to be held today at the former Air Force headquarters and will be led by archbishops Darmo Juwono and Leo Sukoto.

A similar commemoration for Protestants is to be held on Friday at the POUK church in Sunter, West Jakarta, sponsored by the Council of Churches in Indonesia (PGI).

The commemoration will be attended by Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Thahir and PGI chairman Reverend Sularso Sopater. (01)