Indonesian Muslims Celebrate Muharram New Year

Jakarta (Antara) - Large numbers of Muslims participated in activities, including a torch relay with 1435 torches, marking new year's eve of Muharram 1435 hijri in Banten province. The torch relay took place in Banten provincial city of Tangerang, according to organizing committee chairman of the torch relay Romi Abidin, here on Monday. Apart from the torch relay on Muharram new year's eve, the Banten people will also deliver compensation to 1435 orphans, conduct seminars and book fairs, along with the 1435 boy scout movement which loves the mosque, he said. Romi said, further, that the Muharram new year's activities will take place from November 5 through 16. In addition, the Islamic new year, 1 Muharram 1435 Hijri, is known as the time for Muslims to improve themselves and move towards goodness, as exemplified by Prophet Muhammad SAW, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) official said. Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Jakarta chapter H. Hamdan Rasyid said here on Monday that 1st Muharram this year falls on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 and is the first month in the Islamic calendar that marks the turn of the Hijri year. "This moment is important because Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) had success in his preaching in the Muharram," Hamdan said. Meanwhile, at least 2,000 primary, junior and senior high school students, as well as students of Islamic boarding schools in Biak Numfor District, Papua province, also hold sports marching to celebrate the Muharram new year. (*)