Eid in the Soeharto Era, First Eid Prayer at Istiqlal to Beating the Giant Bedug (2)

Having ruled for approximately three decades, with a presidential term spanning from March 27, 1968, to May 21, 1998, Soeharto experienced celebrating Eid 30 times while serving as president.

Through the news archives and photos in Kompas, we can see again the moments of Soeharto's activities while celebrating Lebaran from year to year during his presidency. The following are excerpts, taken from the news when Soeharto held the position of acting president, the early period as president, and the last years of his term.

On January 3, 1968, the Kompas Daily reported that on Monday, January 1, 1968, an Eid prayer was held in the Palace yard, attended by Acting President General Soeharto, a number of Ampera Cabinet ministers, commanders, and members of foreign representatives. The Minister of Religion KHM Dachlan at that time acted as Imam while the preacher was Prof. Dr. Hamka.

At that time, after the preacher delivered the sermon, Soeharto gave a brief address. Soeharto conveyed, among other things, that the meaning of fasting is to strengthen and practice faith in Allah as well as to cultivate discipline and restrain desires. Furthermore, Soeharto invited all leaders and citizens to utilize the wisdom of fasting to work hard in building the nation and the state.

Eradicating poverty and misery is a duty required by Islam.

After serving as acting president for one year, precisely on March 27, 1968, Soeharto was officially inaugurated by the Provisional People's Consultative Assembly as the second President of the Republic of Indonesia. This inauguration marked the beginning of his first five-year term as President of Indonesia.

On his first Eid as president, President Soeharto and Mrs. Tien Soeharto provided an opportunity for the public to extend their greetings at their residence on Jalan Cendana 8, Jakarta, with the following arrangements.

Starting from December 21, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM WIB, the public will be given the opportunity, as well as on the following day from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

On December 23, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, for foreign ambassadors in Jakarta and their staff, while in the evening, from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, for the Indonesian public.

During the Eid al-Fitr prayer at the palace courtyard on Saturday, December 21, 1968, President Soeharto called on Muslims and all religious communities to combat the roots of poverty through development. "Eradicating poverty and destitution is a duty mandated by Islam," Soeharto stated at the time.

While giving a speech at the Eid prayer in the courtyard of the State Palace, December 11, 1969, President Soeharto emphasized that the progress of Islam and the nation are two things that strengthen each other. In accordance with the greatness of the soul of Islam, progress is not only for the benefit of Muslims, but for the benefit of all the people.

After the Eid al-Fitr prayer, President Soeharto, wearing a cap, sarong and sandals, received Eid greetings from the Muslims and Muslim women who were present. For approximately 1.5 hours, President Soeharto stood on the veranda of the Merdeka Palace, shaking hands with around 4,000 attendees.

The daily Kompas also noted that for the first time, President Soeharto performed the Eid prayer outside the Palace in 1970. This event was written in the news article entitled "Atjara2 Special RRI Djakarta Menjambut Idul Fitri" which was published in Kompas, Saturday, November 28, 1970. It was written in the opening paragraph of the news article that President Soeharto's speech welcoming the Eid al-Fitr holiday 1390 Hijriah would be broadcast centrally by RRI, directly from the place of the Eid prayer ceremony (Istiqlal Mosque).

Several decades later, on Tuesday, February 20, 1996, President Soeharto after the Idul Fitri prayer at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta also commemorated his 77th birthday according to Javanese reckoning. Taking place at his residence on Jalan Cendana, accompanied by Mrs. Tien Soeharto and his grandchildren, President Soeharto cut the birthday tumpeng.

The President then received sungkeman from Mrs. Tien Soeharto followed by her sons and daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and close relatives. Vice President Try Soetrisno and Mrs. Try Soetrisno as well as the ministers of the VI Development Cabinet and other high-ranking officials also wished her a happy Eid.

President Soeharto experienced a colossal moment of celebration on Eid the following year.

At that time, on February 8, 1997, President Soeharto beat the giant drum from the Great Mosque of Bantul at the Echo of Dhikr and Takbir event welcoming 1 Syawal 1417 Hijriah under the Monas Monument in Jakarta. The Head of State chanted the takbir with a solemn voice, "Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Laa ilaaha ilaallaahu Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar walillaahil hamd."

Kompas reporters noted that the Head of State's takbir was greeted by the echoing sound of the takbir of thousands of people who were present in the heart of Jakarta at that time. After the President, the echo of the takbir was echoed alternately by H Rhoma Irama, Emha Ainun Najib, KH Zainuddin MZ, and Muammar ZA.

After the President, Vice President and Mrs. Tuti Try Sutrisno, along with other officials left the Monas field, the event continued with a party of 4.2 tons of fireworks thrown from the Monas monument to entertain tens of thousands of Jakarta residents. Many residents spread out old newspapers on the stone courtyard in the Monas area.

Petra (26), a female tourist from Austria, expressed her admiration. "It's very beautiful," said the tourist who came specifically to witness the Echo of Dhikr and Takbir at Monas. A series of enchanting Eid celebrations.