Eid Celebration in Indonesia
Indonesia Marks Eid with Fireworks, Celebrations
Muslims in Indonesia are marking Eid al-Fitr, the end of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, with pray, fireworks and family gatherings. The holiday is set according to the lunar calendar so dates vary, with the start date typically moving back a few days each year.
Indonesian Muslims sit on the roof of a bus as they celebrate the end of the fasting month of Ramadan in Jakarta, Indonesia. (credit: Zulkarnain/Xinhua/Zuma Press)
Around 90% of Indonesia’s 250 million people are of the Islamic faith, making it the world’s most Muslim-populous country. This year’s holy season also coincided with the country’s third direct presidential election, with campaigning integrated into many fast breaking events.
Muslims attend mass prayers outside a mosque in Banda Aceh, Sumatra. (credit: wsj / European Pressphoto Agency)
At dawn on Monday millions headed to their local mosque for morning prayers. Eid serves as a day to remember the Islamic profit Ibrahim, and his willingness to sacrifice his son to God. Muslims in countries around the world start the day with prayer and spend time with family, offer gifts and often give to charity.
More than 30 million have traveled back to their hometowns this year to celebrate the holiday, creating traffic jams and putting police on high alert for accidents.
Shopping has also become a central part of Eid al-Fitr celebrations, with malls and markets packed in the days before the holiday as people stock up on gifts or food for parties. Many retailers offer discounts or deals to draw people in, with some clothing lines creating special fashions for the occasion.
Known in Indonesian as Lebaran, Eid al-Fitr is meant to be one of the year’s most festive times. Food is central to the celebrations, which mark the end of a month of abstention. Beef is a key ingredient in many of the dishes served at traditional Eid al-Fitr gatherings. They include rendang, a spicy beef dish from West Sumatra cooked with coconut milk, and semur, beef stew braised in thick, brown gravy.
Within the country traditions vary, with a range of festivals and rituals rolled out to mark the end of Ramadan. In Jakarta, people set off firecrackers and parade around town banging drums similar to the drum used to announce the evening meal.
Source: wsj