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To Fast or Not to Fast: Idul Fitri Confusion in Indonesia
Olivia Rondonuwu | August 30, 2011

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herbert.wippel
8:37pm Aug 31, 2011

Another great work of one of PKS ministers. I think PKS means Partai Keluarga Stupid

BilboBaggins
10:36am Aug 31, 2011

Astronomers can calculate where moons and planets will be far in the future.

Space probes are sent which arrive at the correct location many months after they were sent and yet the Department of Religion can't even work out the position of the moon a month ahead?

This seems like a farce to me and just creates division and confusion between different islamic groups.

Mike.Jkt
6:56am Aug 31, 2011

Whatever...lets get back to normal...I miss reading my morning Jakarta Globe!

jetset24
5:02am Aug 31, 2011

Finally. Wish all the faithful a happy Idul Fitr, may all of you (Indonesians) prosper, forgive and forget and there is no need to repeat past sins. Can that ever be done?? Hmmm....


lifeatsea
1:35am Aug 31, 2011

JGlobe, Indonesia is not a 90% muslim nation but somewhere in the 80's. Also we don't speak arabic so get rid of your Eid al-Fitr because here it's Idul Fitri or Lebaran. We have enough problems with FPI trying to dictate our Islamic-ness... we don't need JG pushing the issue. Please print stories that recognize the cultural issues of Idul Fitri and don't paint Indonesia as a mini Saudi wannabe.

Indonesia's government has declared that the moon is not in the right position for the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan to end as expected on Tuesday, causing hungry disappointment in the world's largest Muslim-majority nation.

Indonesians, 90 percent of whom are Muslim, celebrate the end of Ramadan or Idul Fitri with a feast and new clothes, but they have been forced to put their delicacies back in the cupboard for one more day.

Housewife Nur Arifah did not expect the announcement, which came late on Monday, and got up early that day to cook plenty of stewed beef for her family in Jakarta.

"My nephews and nieces have all gathered in my father's house to celebrate with new clothes, yet it's the wrong day.

"The market has already shut, so for me to be able to cook a new dish...we might as well eat instant noodles for Idul Fitri," she said.

Many other Muslims who were set to start eating during the day returned to fasting between sunrise and sunset on Tuesday, while shopping malls pushed their closing holiday to Wednesday.

The position of the moon determines the start and end of Ramadan, and astronomers and Muslim bodies told the Indonesian government the moon was too low to herald Idul Fitir.

But members of Muhammadiyah, the country's second biggest Islamic group, are still celebrating on Tuesday since some astronomers say it falls on that day.

Other nations, such as Saudi Arabia, are celebrating as well.

Last year the country's highest Islamic authority admitted it had got the direction of Mecca wrong, causing havoc since it meant mosques were all facing in the wrong direction for devotees to pray facing Saudi's holy Islamic city.

Reuters