Together, all Muslims must participate in maintaining a conducive, safe, orderly situation when celebrating Eid al-Fitr in 2023 or 1444 Hijriyah. Even though there are differences in determining Hari Raya in some circles, the attitude of tolerance and mutual respect must still be echoed.
The general chairman of PP Muhammadiyah, Haedar Nashir asked all Muslims to be able to prioritize tolerance regarding the difference in days when it comes to celebrating Eid al-Fitr in 2023. He also reminded all Muhammadiyah members not to overdo it when celebrating Hari Raya, if indeed on that day it turns out that there are still some Muslims who are fasting because they are celebrating Hari Raya the next day.
According to Haedar, it is very important for all Muslims in Indonesia to be able to jointly maintain an atmosphere and respect one another, and not be demonstrative. Establishing a sense of brotherhood or ukhuwah and togetherness is indeed something that must continue to be echoed.
Haedar also appealed to the central government to the regional governments (Pemda) to be wiser and wiser in protecting all people and groups when there are differences in the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.
Muhammadiyah itself has set Eid al-Fitr on April 21 while the Government of Indonesia has set it on April 22, 2023, but the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag RI) hopes that all people can respect each other.
Regarding this, the Minister of Religion (Menag RI), Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said that although there are differences in the determination of Eid al-Fitr for some Muslims in Indonesia, nothing should highlight the difference. In fact, he really hopes that the whole community can find common ground from the similarities that have so far been owned.
Minister Yaqut also advised that people can have a sense of tolerance and be able to respect one another. He hopes that all Muslims in the country can obey the regulations that have been decided by the Government. The sense of tolerance and mutual respect aims for the community to be able to continue to maintain harmony with each other, security, order within the nation and state.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) for Fatwa, KH Asrorun Niam Sholeh emphasized that there are differences of opinion in the realm of determining Eid al-Fitr 2023, it must continue to promote tolerance, the article is that the realm is allowed to be different.
MUI appealed to all Muslims in Indonesia, even though they celebrate Eid al-Fitr differently, they still address these differences by not reducing tolerance and mutual respect.
Differences based on scientific considerations will give birth to understanding (tafahum) not conflict (tanazu’), and hostility (‘adawah). Therefore, religion needs knowledge so that a spirit of harmony and togetherness emerges.
With the end of the month of Ramadan in 2023, all Muslims rejoice in celebrating Eid al-Fitr, including in Indonesia, where most people still hold the traditions of Eid, namely going home and traveling.
However, in conditions like this, where the COVID-19 pandemic, even though it has decreased and sloping, is still not said to have completely lost its pandemic status in the world, all people should continue to comply with health protocols by wearing masks and always maintaining personal hygiene when performing Eid prayers. Fitri is included when going home and traveling with family.
Of course, maintaining compliance with the health protocol (prokes) for all people is very important, because data shows that in recent weeks, cases of COVID-19 in the country have again increased.
The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi) reminded the public not to overreact to this news. According to him, the people themselves cannot simply be complacent and he reminded them of the importance of vaccinating and booster the COVID-19 vaccine.
On another occasion, the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK), Muhadjir Effendy directly monitored the hospital (RS) regarding the rise in the number of COVID-19. Even though it did increase, it was not too significant.
During the celebration of Eid al-Fitr 1444 Hijriyah or 2023 there are indeed differences between some groups, namely those who set Hari Raya on April 21 and some who celebrate it on April 22. Therefore, all Muslims must be able to jointly maintain a conducive situation by respecting each other and increasing tolerance for one another.
)* The author is a contributor to Nusantara Reading Room
