Tutut, Amien to attend mass prayer

Tutut, Amien to attend mass prayer

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Former president Soeharto's daughter
Siti "Tutut" Hardijanti Rukmana and People's Consultative
Assembly Speaker Amien Rais are expected to attend a ritual for
casting out evil in the South Sulawesi regency, Gowa, on March 5.

The two prominent figures will be among 5,000 people from the
province's 28 regencies/mayoralties to gather in the mass prayer,
known as National Songkabala.

Governor Amin Syam has agreed to open the event, which will
take place in Balla Lampoa Gowa Palace square and last until
midnight.

Chairwoman of the event's organizing committee Dewi Yasin
Limpo said both Amien and Tutut had expressed an interest in
attending the mass prayer.

"We cannot exclude someone who is keen to participate in the
event. Their participation shows their concern at the
tribulations our country is facing," Dewi, the wife of deputy
governor Yasin Limpo, said.

During the prayer, attendants will seek divine help to keep
the nation from disintegration and natural disasters, Dewi said.
The event will involve a traditional ritual, in which a giant
rice cone will be paraded. -- Antara