Crowded prayers: People attend Idul Fitri prayers to mark the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan at Islamic Center Mosque in Lhokseumawe, Aceh, on Sunday
rowded prayers: People attend Idul Fitri prayers to mark the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan at Islamic Center Mosque in Lhokseumawe, Aceh, on Sunday. (AFP/Ipank)
Millions of Indonesians have celebrated the most festive time of the year under partial lockdown. Those who prayed and celebrated at home said they found solace in solemn and modest virtual festivities, but others infringed physical distancing orders.
Private sector employee Risti Oktavisena, 28, decided to stay at her rooming house and call her relatives for a silaturahmi (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 have silaturahmi 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.
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.
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.
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