Some parts of Aceh to celebrate Idul Fitri on Monday

Some residents in Aceh will celebrate Idul Fitri on Monday, much earlier than their fellow Muslims nationwide, as the celebration is bound to a tradition embraced by some local communities.

Teuku Raja Kumbangan, leader of the Habib Muda Seunagan community, said that they had decided to declare Monday as Idul Fitri, given the 30 days of fasting that have gone before.

"We decided Idul Fitri [should fall on Monday] since, by then, we will have completed fasting for 30 days. This decision was reached after a discussion with all community leaders," Teuku was quoted by Antara news agency on Sunday.

The Eid prayer, Teuku said, would be held at Abu Habib Muda mosque, an old mosque for the communities in Seunagan Timur. The prayer is scheduled to be presided over by Said Hamazali, who is the former head of the Islamic sharia agency in Nagan Raya Regency.

Teuku said some other communities in Aceh Barat, Aceh Jaya, Aceh Tengah, Aceh Utara and Aceh Selatan regencies, who share the same tradition as the Habib Muda Seunagan community, will also celebrate Idul Fitri on Monday.

According to Teuku, who is the grandson of Habib Muda, the founder of the tradition, the ritual has been passed down through the generations for more than 250 years.