A Tale of Two Eids: Tradition, Transformation, and the Indonesian Spirit
Eid al-Fitr, also known as Idul Fitri or Lebaran locally, is just around the corner, marking a period of festivity and forgiveness. In Indonesia, regardless of whether one is Muslim or not, the spirit of this occasion is needed now more than ever.
Following the election on Valentine’s Day this year and subsequent protests in Jakarta, we are engrossed in a daily “TV show"—the live broadcasts of the Constitutional Court hearings on the presidential election appeals. These appeals claim extensive irregularities and fraud in the election process.
Adding to the drama, rice prices soared to an all-time high in February 2024, marking a 20% year-on-year increase and fueling a 3.05% annual inflation rate in March. Meanwhile, the country is also grappling with a massive corruption scandal at state-owned PT Timah accused of causing potential state losses of Rp 271 trillion (US$17 billion), adding yet another layer of complexity to the current landscape.
These national challenges mirror the difficulties faced in personal financial planning, including my own. In recent days, I’ve been avoiding the crucial yet tedious…
