Vice President Performs EID Prayer at Istiqlal Mosque

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Vice President Jusuf Kalla performed Eid prayer at the Istiqlal Mosque here on Friday morning.

Congregation members started arriving at the mosque at around 4.30am to join the prayer.

In his preaching Khatib Madani called for good management of the diversity in the country to strengthen "ukhuwah wathaniyah" or national brotherhood.

He also reminded the suffering of a lot of Muslims in the Middle East and Africa who were still living in terror due to insurgencies and wars while expressing hope that peace could immediately come there.

He said in the case of Indonesia the country has had a long history of strengthening its unity with regard to threats from home and abroad.

"The nation is aware that their diversity is vulnerable to conflicts unless it is managed well," he said.

In view of that he reminded of the importance of practicing the national principle of unity in diversity that has been developed by the founding fathers.

He said there are three kinds of ukhuwah (brotherhood) namely brotherhood between citizens, between Muslims and between human beings.

He said Al Quran clearly states that nations were created to know each other, work, build and fight together to create peace, justice, prosperity and welfare without having to trespass the rights of other nations.

"It takes moderation and tolerance for it. And with the spirit there will be no chance for radicalism to develop to disturb religious adherents," he said.

President Joko Widodo performed Eid prayers along with community members at Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Aceh on Friday.

The President and the First Lady arrived at the mosque around 7.05 am local time welcomed by Aceh governor Zaini Abdullah and wife Niazah A Hamid and Banda Aceh mayor Illiza Sa'aduddin Djamal.

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and the First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo and entourage arrived in Aceh on Wednesday night on a three-day working visit including celebrating the Eid with the local people.

President Joko Widodo said he would start a new tradition of celebrating Eid along with the people in the regions starting this year.

"Why do I celebrate Eid in Aceh (it is because I want to start a new tradition). Indonesia stretches from Sabang (Aceh) to Merauke (Papua) and therefore I start from Ache or the west," he said during a visit to West Aceh district on Thursday.

He said as a President he wished to give an equal attention to all people across the country.

"God willing I will be in West Sumatra next year and in West Nusa Tenggara the following year and later to Maluku so that we all feel we are Indonesians. Indonesia does not belong to Jakarta only," he said. (WDY)