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ndonesian Muslims are celebrating Idul Fitri. Most commemorate it by gathering with their family. It is the normal circumstance that many people go back to their village of origin.

The Idul Fitri tradition is marked by silaturahmi (strengthening relations) among residents. They visit each other and shake hands while apologizing.

The relations become stronger this Idul Fitri. Hatred, revenge and envy disappear, and are changed into happiness and brotherhood.

It is common that Idul Fitri is described as a holy day in which all Muslims will be forgiven by God. Etymologically, *id means back or return, and fitr means holy, sacred or innocent.

Muslims believe that on this day, they are the same as babies who are innocent, because God erases their sins.

In general, Idul Fitri can be categorized as a symbolization of lots of values, such as brotherhood, forgiveness, sympathy, good relations, tolerance and mutual understanding.

According to noted Muslim scholar, the late Nurcholish Madjid, God often symbolized messages that He would like to deliver to people. Descriptions of paradise and of hell in the Koran are some of the obvious examples.

Furthermore, Islamic rituals such as prayer, fasting and pilgrimage are also symbolizations of good values that God would like to convey. In other words, Islam provided Muslims with symbols to be learned and transformed in their social life.

To a certain extent, these symbols are not reasonable. Critical questions such as why Muslims have to face the Ka'ba (sacred building in Mecca) while praying, and why Muslims should treat the Ka'ba as sacred, are difficult to explain rationally.

Interestingly, Muslims, either fundamentalists or liberals, accept symbols as part of Islamic teaching. It seems that it is inevitable that religions tended to create symbols to protect sacred things.

In the case of Idul Fitri, Muslims play a significant function in creating the meanings of Idul Fitri. As far as Indonesian Muslims are concerned, Idul Fitri is provided by God as a day in which all Muslims who fast during Ramadan (the month before Idul Fitri) turn into innocent people.

Fitr emphasizes the appreciation of humanity and brotherhood. This day requires Muslims to love all humans, regardless of ethnicity, religion, culture or nationality. Such liberal meanings should be disseminated.

Muslims are obliged to act in solving social problems in Indonesia. Hopefully, Idul Fitri this year will strengthen our empathy for the oppressed and marginalized people.