TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Malaysian tourists explore Riau during Ramadhan vacation
A group of Malaysian tourists had a good time exploring Riau during Ramadhan.
Change Size
An Nur Grand Mosque in Pekanbaru, Riau. (Shutterstock/antoshkaphoto)
Riau province has attracted many tourists from neighboring Malaysia to visit during Ramadhan this year.
Tour leader Mohd Rezwan bin Alias told Antara news agency in Pekanbaru on Monday that the enthusiasm of 13 Malaysian visitors to visit the archipelago, especially Riau, had not waned despite recent terrorist attacks and a travel advisory issued by the Malaysian government.
"Following the [terror] tragedy, we initially felt doubtful. But after we arrive in Riau, we felt safe and [happy] to receive such a friendly welcome from locals," said Rezwan.
According to the Tourism Ministry, at least 14 countries had issued travel warnings against traveling to Indonesia. The 14 countries were Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Poland, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Rezwan said the group visited Riau to explore Pekanbaru city and Siak regency.
"I encourage other foreign tourists to visit Indonesia, especially Riau, as it is home to very interesting and safe destinations. This activity is held during Ramadhan to receive the blessings of the holy month," he said.
Read also: Historic spots of Pekanbaru
The group visited An-Nur Grand Mosque in Pekanbaru and attended the dzuhur (noon) prayer on the first day of their trip on Saturday. As they were continuing their journey to Siak regency, they dropped by the Pompa Angguk oil monument in Minas.
After arriving in Siak, the group visited the Tengku Agung Sultanah Latifah Bridge, broke the fast and then attended the tawarih (evening Ramadhan) prayer at the Siak Sri Indrapura Islamic Center.
On the second day, Sunday, the group visited the As Shidiqie orphanage and Madrasah Masjid Sultan Islamic school and then headed to the Siak Palace, marveled at a Kato ship, the Sultan mosque and tomb, Balai Kerapatan Tinggi, Kampung Tionghoa Chinese village and Sungai Jantan Plaza.
After returning to Pekanbaru, the tourists visited Alam Mayang recreational park, the Soeman HS library, attended the ashar (afternoon) prayer at An Nur Grand Mosque, visited Balai Adat Melayu Riau cultural park and then broke the fast together followed by tarawih prayers at An Nur mosque.
On the third day, the group were scheduled to visit Bawah Market to shop for souvenirs, Pekanbaru Grand Mosque, explore a heritage area (home to Hinggap Palace, the old seaport, Syah Bandar house, Pekanbaru Zero Point Monument, a weaving house and the sultan's holiday house), then broke the fast with orphans at the Hikmah orphanage and conducted the tarawih prayer.
On Tuesday, the tourists' itinerary was to start the day by attending subuh (dawn) prayers at a mosque and then shop for souvenirs before going to the airport to catch their flight to Kuala Lumpur. (kes)
