Eid Holidays

On Sunday, 20 September, Muslims around the world celebrated the Victory Day of Eid Ul Fitr which marks the end of one month of fasting from dawn to dusk in the Holy month of Ramadhan.

In Indonesia, the special day is also called Hari Raya Lebaran officially celebrated on 20and 21 September. It started with Eid Prayer at 7 pm. and Muslims would offer forgiveness to each other.

In Jakarta whose population mostly orginated from other provinces, the streets are usually almost empty until 4-5 days after Lebaran, because around half of the city's population went to their hometown or holiday to other provinces or overseas.

As for me, I started Lebaran by praying at a mosque located around 300 meters from my home, afterwards visit my parents' home and then to my elder sister's home.
Yesterday and today I did not go anywhere, just stay at home watching TV, read books and browsing the internet. Actually I want to go to the beach resort in Anyer, or Thousand Island resort, or Bandung, but unfortunately the hotels are fully booked. Beside that, another reason that kept me from leaving the city is because my servants
went to their hometown in Central Java and will be back here on the 28 September, that's the time when I will start working again.

I hope that this year's Hari Raya Lebaran will bring Peace and Joy to all Muslims as well as non Muslims in Indonesia and other parts of the world.

Photo: Courtesy of Portaltiga/J.Valentino