Chairman of the Advisory Board of Biak Numfor District Nadhalatul Ulama (PCNU), Papua, Ustadh Haji Ahcmad Burhanulhaq reminded the district`s Muslims that the new year should serve as a momentum for self-contemplation to improve the quality of faith in and piety to Allah SWT.
"The importance of self-evaluation together is to reflect on improving the practice of worship to Allah SWT, so as to avoid all forms of immorality and slander and hope for God, the creator`s mercy," Burhanulhaq remarked in Biak at the new year service on January 1, 2019, Tuesday.
He emphasized that while entering 2019, every Muslim must believe in himself to instill a sense of optimism to increase the value of things and devotion to Allah SWT.
At the turn of the year and the coming of the new year 2019 A.D., Burhanuhaq stated that the PCNU invited and encouraged the Biak Numfor community to welcome and meet with gratitude and simplicity.
Cleric Burhanulhaq equates the ushering in of the new year by people with their age also increasing by a year.
"Yes, with age also increasing by a year, this time of life must be used to always lay ourselves bare in front of God and avoid a lifestyle that is materialistic, consumerist, and hedonistic," the former chairman of MUI Biak remarked.
Burhanulhaq affirmed that in 2019, several trials and challenges in life will be encountered while living along with the citizens of Biak Numfor to test our faith and devotion in Allah SWT.
He expressed hope that in the new year, Muslims would improve the quality of worship to Allah SWT to achieve freedom, longevity, and good health for the rest of their existence on earth.
Until 4 p.m. local time, the activities of Biak residents, such as public transportation, kiosks, ports, and airports, ran normally although it seemed quiet as compared to the regular days since today is the start of the new year`s work holiday, January 1, 2019.
In Medan, the capital of North Sumatra Province, the turn of the year was welcomed with a gathering of the community, ulemas, and provincial authority.
The event aimed to encourage all to introspect, for the local people and authorities to do the best in future. A series of natural disasters struck Indonesia in 2018 and coming closer to the Almighty God through prayers and good deeds is expected to ward off all forms of natural disasters in 2019, one of the authorities, who chose to remain anonymous, stated.
In the meantime, the New Year`s Eve night at Sipakario Beach, Nipah-Nipah Village, Penajam District, North Penajam Paser District, East Kalimantan, Monday night, was marked by joint prayers and fundraising for tsunami victims in Banten and Lampung.
"The activity of the New Year`s Eve is the second we are holding, combining praying together and raising funds, but entertainment is still there," chairperson of the Harsani New Year`s Eve Event remarked at the venue of the activity.
The New Year`s Eve event held by North Penajam Paser Creative Youth at Sipakrio Nipah-Nipah Beach, apart from encompassing joint prayers and fundraising, also showcased entertainment.
"The committee also went around seeking help from visitors to raise funds for victims of tsunami that hit Banten and Lampung," Harsani noted.
However, the Organizing Committee for the New Year`s Eve Event agreed to not light fireworks and blow trumpets in the close-up to the New Year`s Eve.
"We urge visitors to not light fireworks and blow trumpets on New Year`s Eve," Achmad Fitriady, the New Year`s Eve event coordinator, noted.
He explained that the appeal to visitors to not blow trumpets and light fireworks was in line with a circular from the Government of North Penajam Paser Regency.
The circular letter appealed to the entire community of North Penajam Paser District to not engage in excessive entertainment activities as well as avoid lighting fireworks and firecrackers and blowing trumpets during New Year`s Eve.
To enliven the New Year`s Eve at Sipakario Nipah-Nipah Beach, Pantia, the New Year`s Eve event, apart from holding entertainment events, also organized the event of releasing lanterns by visitors.
"We continue to hold entertainment activities, including the band`s performances. Moreover, 200 lanterns were released by visitors on the New Year`s Eve," Fitriady stated.
The New Year`s Eve program at Sipakario Nipah-Nilah Beach, Peneajam Sub-district, was held in a somber yet wise and festive manner despite the visitors and committee not lighting fireworks and blowing trumpets.
(T. E002/A/INE)
Reporter: Eliswan Azly
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
