"I think this is good progress for the religious affairs minister. We highly commended (the minister) who has demonstrated tolerance. That is what the government is supposed to do," Nashir stated at the Kauman Great Mosque here, Thursday (April 20) evening.
He also lauded the authority that has allowed Muslim communities to perform the Eid al-Fitr prayer and celebrate the occasion at public facilities despite the date differing with the government.
"We appreciate the government for embracing and allowing those with different (Eid al-Fitr day) to use public facilities and, at the same time, proselytize the religion," the organization head remarked.
The government's willingness to allow the use of public facilities is not only for the Muhammadiyah community's interest but also for the entire Muslim community in Indonesia, he stressed.
"No one is at a loss if the government allows (a public square) used (for Eid al-Fitr prayer) on April 21 and the same square used on April 22. It instead showed positive values for our nation, and it will evoke God's blessing," Nashir affirmed.
Earlier, Minister Qoumas issued a circular on 2023 Eid al-Fitr, in which one of its contents called for Muslims to maintain Islamic brotherhood (Ukhuwah Islamiyah) despite differences in the Eid al-Fitr day.
The Religious Affairs Ministry, following a confirmation meeting on Thursday (April 20), also announced that the first day of the Shawwal month in the Islamic calendar -- the Eid al-Fitr day -- falls on Saturday (April 22).
Meanwhile, Muhammadiyah declared the Eid al-Fitr day falls a day earlier than the government's date on Friday (April 21), as determined by their own moon sighting criteria.
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Translator: Luqman Hakim, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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