Unique! Three Countries In Central Maluku Have Eid Al-Fitr, Men's Prayers Are Performed In Old Mosques, Women's In Traditional Houses

Residents of Hila, men performing Eid prayers at the old mosque, Hasan Sulaiman/ANTARA

MALUKU - Three countries in the Leihitu Peninsula, Wakal, Hila and Kaitetu have performed Eid prayers 1443 Hijri on Sunday, May 1 following the beliefs of the Hijri calendar of the elders.

Khatib Hasan Sulaiman-Hila Mosque, Abdul Kadir Ollong said, the calculation of the month of determining one Ramadan to one Shawwal is a teaching or passed down from the elders first.

"The Hijri calculation is by month. So we have a Hijri calendar that's never been wrong from the start. The calendar does exist," Abdul Kadir after carrying out Eid prayers, Sunday, May 1, as reported by Antara.

In Hila, their prayers are performed separately for women and men. The men's prayers are performed in the old mosque, namely the Hasan Sulaiman mosque, while the women's prayers are carried out in each traditional house, such as the Ollong traditional house, the Lating traditional house, and the Launuru house.

Yes, women can't mix with men. Because here is the custom, women cannot join. That's separate," said Kadir. He explained, apart from being separated, women are also required to pray first at 07.00 WIT before the men.

"They pray first, so the priest comes here. The Imam prays twice. Lead the new women lead the men. They go first to prepare the food, that's the tradition. They don't use hearing the sermon, that's okay," he explained.

Based on observations, before the male residents of Hila prayed at the old mosque, they brought a container containing betel nut to the mosque.

After praying, preaching and praying together, the priests and each craftsman's representative from each clan pray together with the betel nut.

"It's the custom to bring the betel nut. Tradition in the mosque. It binds all society. It's wrong here, later the community will be affected," concluded Kadir.

After the prayer with the betel nut, they also performed tahlil together at the Lating Nustapi traditional house, from each of the traditional heads and mosque administrators.

To note, previously Muslim residents in Wakal Country, Leihitu District, Central Maluku Regency, on Saturday last Saturday also performed the Eid prayer 1443 H first.

This has become the custom of some countries in Maluku which have a hereditary tradition of fasting the holy month of Ramadan until Eid al-Fitr early.

According to them, the determination of one Ramadan in Wakal Country is not just random. However, religious leaders have calculated long ago.