|
In Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority country,
hundreds of worshippers turned up for morning prayers at the
historic port of Sunda Kelapa in North Jakarta to mark the end
of the fasting month of Ramadan.
"I'm very happy that we're free (of COVID curbs) now," said
Laila, 35, who goes by one name like many Indonesians.
Another worshipper, 30-year old Adit Chandra, said: "I hope it
gets better from here on, and that we can gather together with
our families after the last three years of not being able to go
back to our hometown".
Chandra is among the more than 120 million Indonesians - nearly
half the country's population - who plan to travel from major
urban centres to their hometowns for Eid al-Fitr.
That is about 44% more than the number of people who made the
exodus last year, the government said.
In neighbouring Muslim-majority Malaysia, devotees also
celebrated with families.
"We can visit the extended family, and do so without suspicious
feelings ... during the pandemic we were cautious," said Khairul
Soryati, a 39-year-old resident of Kuala Lumpur.
Muhd Nur Afham, 31, who works in Singapore said he could finally
celebrate with the family in Malaysia this year after not being
able to travel during the pandemic.
"I'm grateful I can meet with my families ... last time we only
met through video call," he said.
Authorities in both countries have, however, urged the public to
remain cautious amid reports of rising COVID cases.
(Additional reporting by Johan Purnomo; Writing by Stefanno
Sulaiman; Editing by Himani Sarkar)
[© 2023 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2022 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|
|
