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Muslims welcome return of annual exodus after two-year wait
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Passengers on 'mudik' (exodus), an Idul Fitri tradition where people return to their hometowns to celebrate the Islamic holy day with families and relatives, carry their luggage to a bus in Pakupatan Bus Terminal in Serang, Banten on April 22, 2022. (Antara/Asep Fathulrahman)
T
he return of the Idul Fitri tradition of mudik (exodus) has caused a great deal of buzz and excitement for millions of Muslims in Indonesia despite severe traffic congestion starting to occur on major thoroughfares across the country, which is expected to mar the journeys home.
It is the first time in two years that people have been allowed to head home overland to reunite with relatives and celebrate the Islamic holiday as the government had previously banned the tradition in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
Being stuck for hours in severe traffic jams on Friday during a trip to Boyolali, Central Java, did not ruin the holiday mood of 27-year-old South Jakarta resident Siti Kuswatun, who traveled with her husband and 4-year old son.
"We don't really mind the traffic jams. After all, we're only on the road [for mudik] once a year, in fact, not at all in the past two years during the pandemic," Siti said. "Idul Fitri is a rare moment when I am able to gather with all of my family, so [the sacrifice] is worth it."
The family prepared for traffic jams and how to make the trip more enjoyable, including by filling up the car's fuel tank, bringing enough food, snacks and clothes.
"We're trying to enjoy it as much as we can," she said.
Read also: Jokowi calls for earlier trips as Mudik congestion looms
