Private-sector employee Risti Oktavisena, 28, decided to stay at her rooming house and call her relatives for a silahturahmi (friendly meeting) to comply with the government’s stay-at-home order. Still, the pandemic has not changed how she interprets the meaning of Idul Fitri.

“In fact, the pandemic has actually made this year’s Idul Fitri more solemn, because even though we cannot directly do silahturahmi with family and relatives, we can still feel the warmth of togetherness through our devices when we express our sincere apologies,” Risti said.

Food galore, big family gatherings and mass prayers used to be the norm for Idul Fitri celebrations in Indonesia, a two-day national holiday that succeeds a monthlong fasting period for Muslims in the Muslim-majority nation.

Communities met with each other after Eid al-Fitr prayer at the Jami 'Al-Makmur Mosque, Leuwinanggung - Depok, West Java on Sunday, May 24, 2020. (JP/PJ Leo)

This year, however, the Indonesian Ulema Council and major Islamic group Muhammadiyah have advised Muslims in the country to avoid Idul Fitri prayers in large congregations at mosques to steer clear of infections. More than 22,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Indonesia, with 1,391 dead, as of Monday.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo performed Idul Fitri prayers on Sunday with his family and a few aides in front of the Bayurini Pavilion of Bogor Palace in West Java. Meanwhile, the Religious Affairs Ministry and the Istiqlal Mosque held a virtual takbiran (chanting of “Allahu Akbar”) on the eve of Idul Fitri, instead of the usual way of conducting the event at mosques and on the streets involving crowds.

President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo (center) performs Eid al-Fitr prayes with his wife, youngest son, and a few aides at the Bogor Presidential Palace in West Java on Sunday (Courtesy of Presidential Press Bureau/Muchlis)

Read also: Istiqlal Mosque to hold virtual ‘takbiran’ event to welcome Idul Fitri during pandemic

Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) deputy chairman Muhyiddin Junaidi told The Jakarta Post on Monday that the pandemic should compel people to be more independent in praying at home, led by the head of the family as the imam of the household.

“Amid the COVID-19 crisis, we should celebrate Idul Fitri with utmost modesty. Don’t show off your wealth. Instead, we should have a sense of solidarity for our brothers and sisters,” said Muhyiddin.

He urged people to be optimistic as people can obtain hikmah (wisdom) from facing the current pandemic.

“Don't neglect worship just because there is a disaster. Worship should continue as usual but with regard to health protocols,” Muhyiddin said, adding that people “have to be able to make changes and follow changes" by using technology.

Private-sector employee Aprilian Eka Prananca, 26, said he felt “more devoted” during his Idul Fitri prayers at home, as it allowed him to lead the prayer alongside his wife instead of following directions in mosques.

“The Idul Fitri celebration is different, but its essence is the same,” Aprilian said. This year, he had only briefly visited some of his relatives to drop off and exchange gifts but avoided any physical contact while keeping his mask on for the festivity. Before, his family would usually gather in one place, have sleepovers and cook together for the big day.

However, not all worshippers follow physical distancing restrictions during the celebrations, with some turning to smugglers and fake travel documents to get around bans on the annual end-of-Ramadan travel, AFP reported, which could send infection numbers soaring.

The government has restricted passenger travel starting from April 24 to prevent citizens from participating in the annual Idul Fitri tradition of mudik (exodus) to curb the spread of COVID-19. 

Coordinating Legal, Political and Human Rights Minister Mahfud MD had also reminded the public that mass Idul Fitri prayers in mosques or public squares were prohibited this year by the Health Ministry’s regulation on large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) and the 2018 Health Quarantine Law.

Read also: MUI issues fatwa, implementing 'social distancing' for Islamic worship

Nevertheless, large groups in the conservative province of Aceh still prayed together – with few masks and little social distancing – as Eid began, and the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in the provincial capital was packed.

People attend Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan at Islamic Center Mosque in Lhokseumawe, Indonesia's Aceh province on May 24, 2020. (Photo by IPANK / AFP) (AFP/Ipank)

"I did feel worried, but as a Muslim, I still had to perform mass Eid prayers as a form of gratitude to Allah," one worshipper, Arsi, told AFP.