Jakarta (ANTARA News) - New Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, accompanied President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to perform Idul Adha prayers at the Istiqlal Mosque here on Friday.

Besides Jokowi, Agus Harimurti and Edhie Bakoro Yudhoyono, sons of President Yudhoyono, also accompanied the head of state during the prayer gathering.

The Idul Adha prayers, which began at 7 am, were also attended by former Vice President Jusuf Kalla, chairman of the Indonesian Regional Representatives Council (DPD) Irman Gusman, House Speaker Marzuki Alie, members of the United Indonesia cabinet, ambassadors of some countries and thousands of people from Jakarta.

Idul Adha prayers were also conducted in the yard of Jakarta City Hall and Jokowi made his way from Istiqlal Mosque to city hall.

Prof. Dr Abd A`la, rector of the Surabaya-based Sunan Ampel State Institute of Islamic Studies (IAIN), acted as the preacher at Istiqlal Mosque and KH Abdul Rasyid Abdullah Syafi`i performed the role at Jakarta City Hall.

During the the Idul Adha sermon, Abd A`la stressed on the importance for people to care for their environs, while Abdul Rasyid emphasized on the sense of humanity and social sensitivity.
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Editor: Ella Syafputri
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