Jakarta – The prolonged uncertainty and eventual change of the Idul Fitri date from Tuesday to Wednesday announced by the government has frustrated many, leading them to revert to humor and cynicism.
"If the president had been JK, then Lebaran would be tomorrow [Tuesday] 'the sooner the better', but since the president is SBY then we must 'continue' fasting," read a BlackBerry Messenger message that circulated on Monday, cynically linking the confusing Idul Fitri circumstances to the famous rival campaign slogans by then vice president Jusuf Kalla and incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in the 2009 presidential elections.
The confusion regarding the Idul Fitri date, which marked the end of the Ramadhan fasting month, stems from moon sightings, which are the basis of the Islamic calendar. The start of an Islamic month is marked by the coming of the hilal (the emergence of the first crescent moon at the beginning of hijriah months) on the western horizon at sunset.
At least two criteria are used: hisab, which is based on mathematical calculations, and rukyat or direct observations of the lunar cycle.
"The MUI has decreed that since Lebaran has become uncertain, fasting must be started all over again. Thank you," said another message, in a satirical impersonation of an edict by the Indonesian Ulema Council.
Immediately after the announcement by the government late on Monday, more cynical messages were circulated, many revolving around the fate of food to celebrate Idul Fitri, also known as Lebaran.
"It seems that Lebaran this year is full of warmth. The lontong has to be heated; opor ayam has to be heated, sambal goreng kentang ampela has to be heated, gepuk meat has to be heated...," read another cynical message that spread on Facebook, making fun of the fact that ready-served traditional festive meals had to be re-heated, due to the one-day delay.
Social media, such as Facebook, Twitter and BlackBerry Messenger were inundated with melancholy messages and self mockery. "For sale, ketupat sayur, opor ayam, rendang. At a super discounted price," one tweet read, still concerning traditional Lebaran food.
Even congratulatory Idul Fitri messages, usually exchanged on the eve of the big day, were turned into jokes following the announcement of the date change.
"With all humility, we as a family, want to say: 'Happy sahur again'. Quick put your opor into the fridge," one message read referring to pre-dawn meal of sahur during the Ramadhan fasting month.
Gian Jauhari, who admitted to having forwarded and created such cynical messages said that he had more on the agenda than just making people smile. "It is also meant to criticize the government. Who knows? The messages might just reach them," he told The Jakarta Post Thursday.
Gian said that he was appalled by the level of uncertainty into which the government had led the nation. "I'm disappointed. Other countries are laughing at us," he said.
One of the things most affected by the delay are Idul Fitri delicacies, a huge part of the festive tradition.
"I was cooking when the government was holding the meeting [to decide the date of the holidays]. When I heard that Idul Fitri was delayed, I immediately stopped [cooking] and shoved everything in the fridge," housewife Sutirah said.
Sutirah said that the food was eventually eaten by her family and neighbors for sahur because she preferred to cook again for the big day, even if it meant an unanticipated increase in her Idul Fitri expenses.
"This is a big occasion, I want everything served fresh," she said, adding that she was cooking for her extended family reunion. (awd)