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Small Muslim community in East Java observes early Idul Fitri
A small community in East Java has become well-known among local residents for always observing the fasting month of Ramadan and Idul Fitri during times that differ from the dates set by the government.
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Naqsabandiyah followers celebrate Idul Fitri on June 3 in Padang, West Sumatra. (Antara/Iggoy el Fitra)
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s the majority of Muslims across the country await the official government announcement regarding the date of this year’s Idul Fitri, a small Muslim community in Wates village, Tulungagung regency, East Java, has already moved on ahead, celebrating the Islamic holy day on Monday.
Around 100 members of the tightly knit religious community performed Idul Fitri prayers at a mosque in a local village.
Members of the community wore the typical Muslim attire, not unlike most other Muslims who are affiliated with Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).
However, the community members did not allow the press to take pictures of their Idul Fitri celebration at the local mosque.
Huda, a 40-year-old mosque staffer in neighboring Paser village, said the Idul Fitri prayers performed by the community members were not different from the prayers typically performed by other Muslims on the Islamic holy day.
“They perform their daily prayers in the same way [as other Muslims],” Huda said, adding that he could not tell whether the group was affiliated with a local Sufi movement.
He said the small community had become well-known among local residents for always observing the fasting month of Ramadan and Idul Fitri during times that differed from the dates set by the government.
“They’ve been here for a long time. The community was originally led by Ahmad Al Mudlor, who was then replaced by his son Ahmad,” Huda said.
Hadi Mahfudz, the chairman of the local chapter of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), said the group’s Idul Fitri observance had defied several religious rules.
“It was not done in accordance with our established guidelines,” Hadi told The Jakarta Post. (rfa)
