Gorontalo (ANTARA) - Eid al-Fitr is the opportune time to re-fortify Indonesian unity after the elections that resulted in polarization based on people's political preferences, Muhamad Yamin, preacher at Eid sermon at Al Hikmah Mosque in Gorontalo, stated.

"During the important electoral process, Muslims, with different political choices, might have been hostile to one another and ridiculed, weakened, and also physically attacked others. They appear to have forgotten that they were brothers and sisters," Yamin noted here on Wednesday

During the Eid sermon, he reminded Muslims in Indonesia, especially those in Gorontalo City, to bear in mind that unity and friendship should be guarded in the midst of all differences.

Yamin remarked that tensions among people were not only triggered by political choices but may also be caused by socio-economic conditions that may also be a source of conflict in a family.

"In fact, in Islamic rules, people may not be hostile to each other for more than three days. The best of people are those who greet first," he emphasized.

Yamin further suggested people to self-introspect to maintain close friendship and unity to help in the realization of one's weaknesses and mistakes in order to avoid any form of self-centeredness.

The Eid prayer and sermon to welcome Eid al-Fitr this year in Sipatana District, Gorontalo City, were held smoothly and safely.

After the prayer, the mosque congregation visited the houses around the mosque to shake hands with others as a mark of apologizing and forgiving one another.

Related news: Some ministers to hold Eid open house

Related news: President to gather with kin at Bogor Palace during Takbiran

Related news: Pondok Bambu prison's 142 inmates granted clemency on Eid

Translator: Debby H. M, Yuni Arisandy S
Editor: Gusti Nur Cahya Aryani
Copyright © ANTARA 2019