By Ainur Rohmah
JAKARTA
Exclamations of "takbir" -- praise to Allah -- echoed across Indonesian towns, streets and mosques Thursday night as the world’s most populous Muslim country marked the end of Ramadan and welcomed Eid al-Fitr.
Immediately after the religious ministry announced, based on moon observations, that the holiday would begin Friday, Indonesians grabbed torches and drums, loading them onto pickup trucks as thousands flooded the streets.
Fachrurrozi, a 13-year-old who like many Indonesians uses one name, joined his friends in a remote village of Central Java, for "takbiran" – a ritual in which Muslims chant praise to Allah, known locally as "takbir keliling."
"Once we heard the announcement from the government that Eid is tomorrow, we decided to conduct takbir keliling," the youth – nicknamed Rozi – told Anadolu Agency while preparing a cart to carrying several "kentongan" – a drum made from bamboo.
Together with ten friends, he roamed around the village for an hour amid shouts of "takbir," taking turns to pound the drum while nibbling on his snack during the final iftar – the meal breaking the daylong fast.
"I always welcome the spirit of Eid in this way," he said excitedly. "It makes the atmosphere so lively."
In the center of Ungaran city, people of all ages crowded the streets, town square, and residential areas to hold parades and "takbir keliling," as cars decorated with colored papers and pickup trucks carrying large drums wove around.
The festive processions at times resulted in congestion on main roads, creating extra work for police officers patrolling the celebration.
Firecrackers whizzed through the air while fireworks lit the sky.
Wahyu Susilo, an 18-year-old resident of Semarang City who joined a parade downtown, told Anadolu Agency that he had bought fireworks and firecrackers for merry-making in advance.
His mother, however, had prohibited him from setting them alight.
"She [my mother] advised me not to set off firecrackers. ‘What if the firecracker hits you and you cannot celebrate Eid tomorrow?'" he mimicked his mother as saying.
But he assured that he would spend the night out in the middle of the festivities, before returning home late at night.
"Every takbiran night, the road is always crowded. I'm not afraid to be late," he said confidently.
While thousands spend the night in the center of the city’s excitement, others prefer to remain home with family.
Putri Handayani, a university student, said she and her family members will engage in introspection, reflecting on their month-long fast.
She told Anadolu Agency that the sound of takbir always makes her tear up.
"I am touched, and also happy."
She added that the atmosphere of the evening before Eid made her remember family members who had passed away.
“About three years ago, my sister died. And I always remember her at times like this," she said with tears in her eyes. “Normally we would cook ‘opor ayam’ [chicken curry] together to be served during Eid. I miss her."
She pulled out the red and white roses she had prepared to place on her sister's grave after the morning Eid prayer Friday.
"Nevertheless, I am happy to still be able to celebrate Eid with good health," Putri said.
