Naqsabandiyah Followers Observe Idul Fitri on Friday

Jombang, E Java (Antara) - Thousands of Naqsabandiyah sect followers in Jombang, East Java, celebrated Idul Fitri on Friday. KH Nasukah Anwar, board member of the tarekat, admitted that the decision to observe the holiday on Friday was not in line with that of the government, which had designated Thursday as the day to celebrate Idul Fitri. "We failed to see the first moon during the observation period, despite having sent seven teams for that purpose to the western part of Jombang and Lamongan districts," he said. Therefore, Nasukah explained, "we could not celebrate the Idul Fitri on Thursday in accordance with the government's decision". Because of its failure to observe the moon, the tarekat decided to round the fasting month up to 30 days, he continued. "We referred to the result of our observation, which continues to be based on the Quran and Hadith," Nasukah added. Thousands of followers of the tarekat attended Idul Fitri prayers¿led by the chief of the tarekat, KH Mustaqim¿at the Muttawin Baitul Mosque in Dapur Kejambon, Peterongan, Jombang. Nasukah expressed hoped that the tarekat¿s decision to observe Idul Fitri on a different date would not affect its relations with the government. He noted that the tarekat had often had differences with the government with regard to the dates of observance of Islamic holidays. Nasukah said the tarekat would prefer to follow its own rules for moon sighting, adding that the fasting month would be round up to 30 days whenever the moon could not be sighted on the designated day. (*)