Idul Fitri - The Muslim Day of Forgiveness and New Beginnings

Idul Fitri, or Lebaran, in Indonesia this year is set for April 10 by Islamic authorities. This day marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan for Muslims. After a month of fasting from sunrise to sunset, families celebrate Idul Fitri with lavish feasts. Streets, buildings, and shopping malls are decorated with information about the major holiday of the year.

In Islam, Ramadan is a time not only to practice self-restraint but also to instill values ​​of simplicity and moderation as believers fast. The holiday symbolizes reflection, renewal, forgiveness, and community gathering and connection.

People who work far away from home look forward to returning home for reunions. Wealthy families may hold parties for the less fortunate in the community. Muslims always go to mosques and pray on this occasion.

On the streets, you can see luxury cars stopping at places where there are poor people selling small goods on the roadside, or groups of homeless people, to give gifts, money... and then continue their journey. Neither the giver nor the receiver knows each other, but they both know that this is sharing in Muslim society. They happily give and receive and say to each other the traditional phrase "Mohon maaf Lahir dan Batin" (asking for forgiveness for mistakes, even if they are unintentional).

Javanese Muslims when welcoming Idul Fitri, it has become a tradition that Idul Fitri is a day filled with joy with abundant food in parties, fireworks and new clothes.

Although Ramadan this year began with complaints from people about the high prices of rice and other necessities, this did not dampen the typical lifestyle of Indonesian Muslims during the fasting month. Every afternoon before the end of a day of fasting, people flock to restaurants or return home earlier than usual to have dinner with their families, called Iftar. This is the second meal of the day after the pre-sunrise meal, called ... to provide energy for a day of fasting and drinking.

As Lebaran approaches, advertisements for food, drinks, clothes, sarongs and even vehicles are popping up everywhere, on television, on the streets, in shopping malls, supermarkets... Brands all want to attract consumers.

Markets and shopping malls are full of goods and bustling with shoppers. Although the government has tried to stabilize prices so that low-income people can celebrate Idul Fitri, in reality, prices are still quite high compared to normal days. The inevitable law of supply, demand and prices is a problem that the government must pay attention to early every year. Despite complaints, people still accept the fact that prices and purchasing power still skyrocket during the holiday, because everyone thinks "it happens once a year". Every family prepares for a prosperous and fulfilling Idul Fitri.

The spirit of Idul Fitri draws Muslims closer to Allah with great faith and gives them optimism for a better future.