April 2, 2025
JAKARTA – Idul Fitri is slated to fall on March 31 and April 1, based on the Indonesian calendar. On this Islamic holiday, which marks the end of the Ramadan fasting month, Indonesian Muslims and citizens of other faiths, guided by an inclusive spirit, will say to each other a sentence full of blessings, “Happy Idul Fitri. Please forgive me physically and mentally!” Then, communally, we can say, “Happy Idul Fitri. Let’s Forgive Each Other!”
Indeed, this expression is profound because it shares the joy of Idul Fitri and, at the same time, shows the humility to forgive each other in the spirit of reconciliation.
In Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, this is a time for celebration, reflection and renewal.
Let me explore the context of Idul Fitri in Indonesia, especially from a Catholic perspective, highlighting its unique cultural, social and religious significance.
In Indonesia, the holiday is a time for families and friends to reunite and strengthen social bonds. Unsurprisingly, millions of Indonesians join the mudik (exodus) to their hometowns to celebrate the holiday with their extended family members and friends, share stories and exchange gifts.
Mudik has become an annual ritual for Indonesians. The state facilitates the colossal movement of people by improving road infrastructure and providing extra train cars, flights and ships.
Idul Fitri in Indonesia is also a time for social reconciliation and forgiveness. Indonesians often use this occasion to settle disputes, apologize for past mistakes and strengthen relationships. This emphasis on social harmony and forgiveness reflects the importance of community and mutual respect in Indonesian culture.
For Indonesian Muslims, Idul Fitri is a time for spiritual reflection and renewal. After a month of fasting and introspection, Idul Fitri marks a fresh start, an opportunity to recommit to Islamic values and principles. Indonesian Muslims often attend special prayers, listen to sermons and engage in acts of charity and kindness.
Indonesia has several unique traditions associated with Idul Fitri. For example, the zakat fitrah (charitable gift), normally given by the wealthy to the poor, or older people to children. Indonesians also exchange amplop (envelopes) which contain money or other treats.
The contextualization of Idul Fitri in Indonesia reflects the country’s rich cultural, social and religious heritage. The holiday is a unique and meaningful experience that strengthens social bonds, promotes spiritual growth and fosters a sense of community and mutual respect.
More importantly, in the context of diversity, it has a profound connection with interreligious love and harmony. Here are some ways in which Idul Fitri promotes interfaith love.
First, it is a time for seeking forgiveness and reconciliation. This spirit of forgiveness can be extended to people of other faiths, promoting understanding, tolerance and love.
The second is about charity and gift-giving. During the festive day, Muslims engage in charitable acts, such as giving zakat and exchanging gifts. These acts of kindness can be extended to people of other faiths, fostering a sense of community and interreligious love.
Third, Idul Fitri celebrations in many countries involve community events such as festive meals, prayers and cultural performances. These events can unite people of different faiths, promoting mutual understanding and respect.
Fourth, Idul Fitri acknowledges and respects the diversity of human experience. By recognizing other faiths’ unique traditions and customs, Muslims can promote interreligious love and understanding.
Fifth, the holiday celebrates human values such as compassion, generosity and forgiveness, which many faith traditions share. It can promote interreligious love and cooperation by emphasizing these shared values.
Sixth, Idul Fitri can catalyze interfaith dialogue and cooperation. By engaging in open and respectful conversations, people of different faiths can build bridges of understanding and promote interreligious love. In Indonesia, for example, Idul Fitri celebrations often involve interfaith events, such as joint prayers, cultural performances and community service projects.
These events promote interreligious love, understanding and cooperation, reflecting the country’s rich religious diversity and tolerance. Idul Fitri deeply connects with interreligious love, forging reconciliation, charity, respect for diversity and shared human values. By emphasizing these values, Idul Fitri can foster greater understanding, mutual respect and love among people of different faiths.
In the context of interreligious relationship, the Vatican has been active in interfaith dialogue with Muslim leaders and organizations. Idul Fitri is an opportunity to promote greater understanding and cooperation between Catholics and Muslims.
The Pope traditionally also sends greetings to Muslims worldwide on the day of Idul Fitri. This gesture promotes mutual respect and understanding between the two faiths.
It is worth noting that Idul Fitri and Catholicism share common values such as compassion, forgiveness and charity. Emphasizing these shared values can help build bridges between the two faiths.
Catholics and Muslims have worked together on joint projects in some parts of the world, such as promoting peace, justice and human rights. Idul Fitri can be an opportunity to strengthen these partnerships.
Finally, there is the Vatican’s statement on Idul Fitri. The Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue issues a statement each year on the moment of the holiday. This statement typically conveys greetings and promotes greater understanding and cooperation between Catholics and Muslims.
To summarize, in recent years, Vatican messages related to Idul Fitri have been framed with various themes as follows: “Vatican Extends Greetings to Muslims on Idul Fitri;” “Eid al-Fitr: A Time for Catholic-Muslim Cooperation;” “Shared Values of Compassion and Forgiveness: Idul Fitri and Catholicism;” and “Pope’s Message for Idul Fitri: Promoting Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation.”
Happy Idul Fitri. Please accept my apologies!
The writer is secretary of the Commission for Interreligious Relations and Beliefs of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference. The views expressed are personal.