Warm prayers

Sat, July 9, 2016 / 11:20 am

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Luar Batang residents arrive at Sunda Kelapa port, Jakarta, on a boat to take part in Idul Fitri prayers on Wednesday. JP/ Ricky Yudhistira
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Hundreds of Muslims perform Idul Fitri prayers at Sunda Kelapa port, Jakarta, as part of Idul Fitri ceremonies on Wednesday. JP/ Ricky Yudhistira
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Queen Hemas of the Yogyakarta Kingdom [on sidewalk, right], accompanied by her daughter Princess Mangkubumi, walks to Alun Alun Utara [North square] of Yogyakarta to join Idul Fitri prayers with other common folk. JP/ Wienda Parwitasari
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Thousands of Yogyakarta Muslims perform Idul Fitri prayers at Alun Alun Utara [North square], Yogyakarta, on Wednesday. JP/ Wienda Parwitasari
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Thousands of residents participate in Idul Fitri prayers in front of the Palace of Surakarta, Central Java, on Wednesday. JP/ Ganug Nugroho Adi
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A toys vendor tries to sell his goods to the congregation of Idul Fitri prayers at Simpang Lima, Semarang, Central Java, on Wednesday. JP/ Suherdjoko
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Muslim women wear mukena [head-to-toe prayer gowns] during Idul Fitri prayers in Gumuk Pasir, Parangkusumo, Yogyakarta on Wednesday. JP/ Albertus Magnus Kus Hendratmo
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Hundreds of inmates and staff members join in Idul Fitri prayers at the Sukamiskin prison in West Java on Wednesday. The government has promised to grant special remission to 49 corruption convicts provided they fully pay their fines and return illegally obtained money, as ordered in their sentences. JP/ Arya Dipa
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People attend Idul Fitri prayers at Jami Al Munawaroh Mosque in Bogor, West Java, on Wednesday. Hundreds of Sentul City residents who did not join the mass exodus (mudik) flocked to the mosque to attend the Idul Fitri prayers. JP/ PJ Leo
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Two men shake hands after Idul Fitri prayers at Sudirman Square, Denpasar, Bali, on Wednesday. Millions of Muslims in Indonesia celebrate the festivities by asking for people’s forgiveness after 30 days of dawn-to-dusk fasting during Ramadhan this year. JP/ Zul Trio Anggono

Idul Fitri, referred to as Lebaran in Indonesia, is celebrated in the entire Muslim world at the end of the holy month of Ramadhan. With Idul Fitri, Muslims mark the end of their annual 30 days of dawn-to-dusk fasting.

The celebration begins with the takbiran [recitation of praise to Allah] on the eve of Idul Fitri, followed by mass prayer gatherings early in the morning at mosques, on open fields, parking lots or on main streets.

During the Idul Fitri morning prayers, Muslim women are required to dress in a mukena [head-to-toe prayer gown], while Muslim men usually wear a sarong, combined with a traditional shirt originating in Chinese culture, known as koko, and a cap called peci.

On the walk home from the mass prayers, people greet and pray for one another before going back for sungkem, a family gathering specially held to ask for forgiveness among family members, and to enjoy the Lebaran meals.

Later, it continues by visiting relatives around town and in other cities, or holding an Idul Fitri gathering, locally known as halal bi halal, with friends or relatives to ask for forgiveness and strengthen personal bonds. [ags]