Muslims in Indonesia are preparing to celebrate the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which is expected to begin on Thursday. The nation, which is the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, boasts diverse cultural traditions to mark the month, including cleaning and decorating relatives’ graves, holding street festivals with traditional torch parades, communal feasts, washing one’s hair with a symbolic shampoo made from rice straw, and visiting Muslim and non-Muslim holy sites.
However, it is the rising cost of food that is causing concern for many people this Ramadan, including imported staple foods such as wheat, sugar, beef and soybeans that have increased in price as a result of rising global commodity prices and supply chain disruptions. But local commodities such as rice, eggs, chili, palm oil and onions have also increased in price as well as gas and electricity. Many blame the government for the price hikes and fear how they will cope financially during Ramadan.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise until sunset and refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual intercourse. Night-time is for family and friends to gather and feast. This period is aimed at bringing the faithful closer to God and reminding them of the suffering of the poor. Muslims are expected to strictly observe daily prayers and engage in heightened religious contemplation. They are also urged to refrain from gossip, fighting, or cursing during the holy month. At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate the joyous Eid al-Fitr holiday.
