Muslims gathered at mosques in Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Ambon, Medan, and other cities to perform Idul Fitri prayers without any disruption.
Deserted streets in major cities were filled with Muslims, who were visiting their friends and relatives, in accordance with the Idul Fitri tradition of seeking forgiveness for past misdeeds.
In Jakarta, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono attended Idul Fitri prayers at the Istiqlal grand mosque.
President Yudhoyono wore a black coat and a red sarong and sat next to Vice President Boediono.
The president`s son and a number of cabinet ministers and foreign ambassadors sat close to the president and vice president, while the first lady, her daughters-in-law, and granddaughter Almira Tungga Dewi sat next to Madame Herawati Boediono.
The Istiqlal grand mosque is the biggest mosque in Southeast Asia and can accommodate approximately 120 thousand people. On Thursday, the mosque was packed with thousands of people who had come from all corners of the city to attend the prayers.
Idul Fitri prayers at the Istiqlal grand mosque commenced at 7 am, with H Hasanuddin Sinaga leading the prayers. After the prayers, H Farid Wajdi Ibrahim delivered his Idul Fitri sermon.
On this festive occasion, President Yudhoyono wished all the citizens of Indonesia a happy Idul Fitri on his Twitter account.
"Let us celebrate this special and victorious day with clean hearts. I wish you a happy Idul Fitri, Mohon Maaf Lahir dan Batin," he wrote on his Twitter account.
In South Jakarta, thousands of Muslims gathered at Al Azhar mosque along Sisingamangaraja street for Idul Fitri prayers.
At 6 am, one hour before the commencement of the prayers, Muslims began pouring into Al Azhar mosque, which is the second largest mosque in Jakarta.
Former Constitutional Court Chairman Mahfud MD delivered his Idul Fitri sermon and encouraged Muslims to work together to eradicate poverty in the country.
"If we want our religious services to be accepted, we should actively rebuild our community by addressing the issue of poverty in the country," Mahfud noted.
He added that tens of thousands of Indonesians are currently living below the poverty line.
Therefore, he urged Muslims in Indonesia to help the poor and enhance their economic, social, and political standing in society.
"We have to work hard to improve the living conditions of the poor," he said, adding that Muslims should be willing to give some of their wealth to the poor.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Heryawan, governor of West Java, mentioned in his sermon that this year`s Idul Fitri celebration will be a milestone in Indonesia`s development.
Speaking before thousands of Muslims at the Gasibu Square in Bandung, West Java, the governor urged Indonesians to work together to build a better society.
"I hope that this year's Idul Fitri celebration will make us more religious and patient," said Heryawan, adding that the holy month of Ramadan is a time to cleanse mental impurities.
He mentioned that equality in society can be achieved when people forgive one another. He added that Muslims are blessed with enthusiasm and conviction to face life's challenges.
"The privileges that we enjoy today are a result of our prayers; we pray five times a day and attend mass prayers every Friday," he said.
Even on Indonesia's eastern island of Ambon, which was once wrecked by sectarian violence, thousands of Muslims gathered at the Al-Fatah grand mosque, the largest mosque in Maluku, to pray in peace.
Prayers at the mosque were led by Imam KH Hasanusi, and the sermon was delivered by Hasbullah Toisutta, rector of the State Islamic Institute (IAIN).
Deputy Governor Said Assagaff, Deputy Ambon Mayor Sam Latuconsina, and Deputy Ambon Police Chief Senior Commissioner Murad Ismail also attended the prayers at the mosque.
Despite having a capacity of more than 10,000, Al-Fatah mosque was unable to accommodate the crowds of Muslims who had arrived for the prayers, many of whom had to assemble outside the mosque; they were forced to sit on old newspapers and mats on the roads.
However, the number of people who attended the prayers Al-Fatah this year was relatively smaller than that of the previous year because this year, Idul Fitri prayers were conducted by many mosques across the city.
Across the city, devout Muslims were seen praying fervently, undisturbed by the persistent drizzle or the cloudy sky.
Muslims in Surabaya, East Java, also flocked to local mosques and heroes monument square to perform Idul Fitri prayers, led by Sajid Darmadipura.
In his Idul Fitri message, Sajid focused his sermon on the concepts of Islam and urged Muslims to understand and apply the concepts well.
Idul Fitri prayers proceeded peacefully in the predominantly Christian cities of Kupang in East Nusa Tenggara, Manado in North Sulawesi, and the ever restive cities of Palu in Central Sulawesi, and Banda Aceh in Aceh province.
In Kupang, Syarif Mamang mentioned in his Idul Fitri sermon that Muslims should have faith in Allah, and they should obey his commandments.
"Muslims should maintain their religious faith and practise good behaviour," he said. (*)
Reporter: Otniel Tamindael
Editor: Otniel Tamindael
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
