The event will be the second time Jokowi has hosted an Idul Fitri gathering or “open house” in the capital since taking office in late 2014
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo will celebrate the first day of Idul Fitri in Jakarta, opening the doors of the State Palace for a get-together with members of the nation amid the hustle and bustle of the political year.
The event will be the second time Jokowi has hosted an Idul Fitri gathering or “open house” in the capital since taking office in late 2014, which analysts describe as his way of conveying a message of reconciliation following the politically divisive presidential election.
“I will celebrate [the first day] of Lebaran in Jakarta,” Jokowi told reporters recently. “After I have concluded [all appointments] in Jakarta, I will depart to Solo,” he added, referring to his hometown of Surakarta in Central Java, where his extended family live.
Presidential chief of staff Moeldoko said Jokowi would host the open house — which was expected to welcome various figures, including state officials, top politicians as well as members of the public — after he and his family had performed their Idul Fitri prayers in Jakarta.
The tradition for the First Family is to attend the prayers at Istiqlal Mosque, however, Moeldoko said there was a possibility that the President would perform prayers in other mosques near the Palace.
The celebration of this year’s Idul Fitri, which will fall on Wednesday, will take place amid the simmering of post-election tensions after Jokowi was declared the election winner, defeating his political nemesis and presidential contender Prabowo Subianto.
Prabowo’s defeat recently triggered thousands of his supporters to stage election protests that descended into full-fledged riots for two nights in a row in the capital, killing at least eight people and injuring many others.
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