Traders vie for stalls at bazaar

JAKARTA (JP): More than 350 participants will take part in the second Istiqlal Festival on Islamic culture from Sept.23 to Nov.8 at the Istiqlal Mosque in Central Jakarta.

The Second Istiqlal Festival chief organizer, Etty Mar'ie Muhammad said that many people want to participate in the festival's bazaar and that all the stands have been fully booked. "Registration for participants was closed on July 31," she said.

She expressed regret that the organizers had to reject a great number of applications to take part in the bazaar.

The bazaar will be selling Islamic praying instruments, handicrafts, souvenirs and traditional food and beverages from 27 provinces.

The organizers expect that 10 million people will visit the festival that is scheduled to be officially opened by President Soeharto on Sept.23.

Besides the bazaar, the festival will also exhibit Islamic art and literature and feature competitions in calligraphy, adzan (prayer announcement), photography and writing.

It will also hold a seminar on the contribution of Islamic values to local culture. (29)