President Joko Widodo Performs EId Prayer in Aceh

Banda Aceh, Aceh (Antara Bali) - President Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana 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 here on Wednesday night on a three-day working visit including celebrating the Eid with the local people.

Aceh Governor Zaini Abdullah, his wife and regional leaders were on hand to welcome the president at the air force base Sultan Iskandar Muda at 22.10 local time.

President Joko Widodo has 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.

President Joko Widodo and entourage including chief economic minister Sofyan Djalil and agrarian minister Ferry Mursyidan Baldan are scheduled to end their visit to the region on Friday.

The President here on Thursday evening saw off a parade held to celebrate the Eve of Eid. (WDY)