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The blessing and challenges of ‘mudik’: A reflection on Eid exodus
Mudik plays a crucial role in redistributing wealth from urban to rural areas, from major financial centers to smaller towns.
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Wet celebration: Residents of Sayung village in Demak regency, Central Java, exchange Idul Fitri greetings on April 10, 2024 amid a flood that hit their neighborhood. (Antara/Aji Styawan)
The 2024 Idul Fitri mudik (exodus) season has come to a close. Thank God, most of us have returned to our daily routines in our adopted lands. Some may still be lingering in their hometowns, extending their holidays and enjoying precious moments with their extended families.
One thing that is certain, however, is that we have collectively experienced the highs and lows of this significant ritual. Let us hope that the moments of joy and celebration outweighed the challenges.
According to the government, this year's Idul Fitri exodus saw the largest number of participants ever recorded, with an astounding 193 million individuals traveling or mobilizing during this period. This remarkable figure demands serious, planned and measured responses from all stakeholders involved in managing this mass movement of people.
In 2023, a political survey by Indikator Politik revealed that 78 percent of the public were satisfied with the government's handling of the mudik. We hope this satisfaction level remains high this time around, despite a 45 percent increase in participants.
For many, mudik is an indispensable ritual. I rarely miss such significant events, cherishing the opportunity to reconnect with family in the serene corners of Sijunjung in West Sumatra, and to maintain cultural and generational ties with my children, anchoring them to their roots. Mudik transcends mere nostalgia; it encompasses various dimensions, including social, cultural and economic aspects.
Economically, it plays a crucial role in redistributing wealth from urban to rural areas, from major financial centers to smaller towns.
