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Monday, July 21, 2014

Indonesia Happenings

It is so easy to get disconnected from the world here. I mean we don't watch the nightly news or read the daily newspapers. It is easy just to focus on what we're involved in and forget that we live in a place where big things are happening. So here's what's happening in our neck of the woods...

Indonesia held a presidential election. This is significant because the current president, Susilo Bamband Yudhoyono (SBY), is not eligible for reelection. Indonesian law allows for a president to have two consecutive five year terms. SBY's ten year presidential rule has come to an end, and the people will elect a new president. The elections were held on July 9. The two candidates, Prabowo Subianto and Joko Widodo, have very different backgrounds and will have two very different ways of leading the country. When the polls closed on July 9, BOTH candidates claimed an early victory. Some are claiming this is the closest democratic election in Indonesian history. The official results will be announced this week.

Would you pray for peace in Indonesia when the winner is announced? Since the results are very close, it's possible there may be some anger and disappointment.

Indonesia is home to the world's largest Muslim population of 205 million. About 88% of the country's population is Muslim. This month many Muslims around the world are fasting for Ramadan. They will fast from sun up to sun down. A blog from a Muslim author explains: "The purpose of Ramadan is to rid man of those habits which he has accumulated throughout the rest of the year. It is a month that prepares man for the remaining eleven months by teaching him discipline and self control. This is a month of reformation and self reflection, where a believer can ponder of over spirituality and piety and bring a change for the better." At the end of the fasting month will come Eid al-Fitr or Lebaran in Indonesia is the day Muslims celebrate the end of the fast. They will begin their day by going for a prayer time at the mosque followed by a feast at their homes with family and friends. We hope to go visit some of our neighbors during the celebrations.

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