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From being stuck in traffic to having iftar in Istiqlal, Jakartans celebrate Ramadan
Many workers in Jakarta are forced to break their fast on the road away from home while still commuting after work. For them, the many takjil (light snack to break the fast) vendors are saviors, as well as numerous mosques providing free iftar boxes.
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Shelter from the rain: Sudarmanto, 56, a driver with a ride-hailing application company waits for the rain to stop in front of a cafe near Sudirman Station in Central Jakarta, on March 16. He and several other drivers enjoy iftar snacks provided by local traders. (JP/Nur Janti)
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n the holy month of Ramadan, Sudarmanto, 56, a driver with a ride-hailing-application company waited for the Maghrib call to prayer amid the pouring rain near Sudirman Station in Central Jakarta, on March 16.
Around the transportation junctions of Jakarta's LRT, MRT and Transjakarta networks, people were rushing to break their fast at home while some were hunting snacks as many street vendors popped open their stalls.
Sudarmanto with some other drivers and a parking attendant, took shelter from the rain in front of a cafe. Beside them was a box of snacks given by a local vendor.
“The local vendor nearby likes to give out takjil [light snacks to break the fast] every Ramadan,” he told The Jakarta Post.
“I will pick up passengers after iftar and the rain stops.”
Following the movements of office workers who tend to leave early during the Muslim fasting month, he starts to hunt for passengers after morning prayers until 10 a.m. After resting for about five hours, he will hit the streets from 3 p.m. to just before sunset. However, when he has to transport passengers on a long-distance trip, he has to break his fast on the road.
“I once gave a passenger a ride during the evening call to prayer. Luckily the passenger was understanding and asked me to break the fast for a moment,” he said.
