VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: The celebration of Eid Al-Fitr 1444 H at Wisma Indonesia Cuba was enlivened by the appearance of drums and the Sungkeman tradition, Friday (21/4/2023). The celebration was held at Wisma Indonesia after the Eid prayer which was held at the Abdallah Mosque, the only mosque in Havana.

"In 2015 the Cuban government gave the old car museum building to be used as a mosque, the only place for congregational prayers in the heart of the Cuban capital," said Indonesian Ambassador Nana Yuliana, quoted from a statement by the Indonesian Embassy in Havana received in Jakarta, Monday (24/4/2023).

The Eid al-Fitr celebration at Wisma Indonesia was attended by Indonesian citizens (WNI) and a number of foreign diplomats. After the Eid prayers, the Indonesian Embassy in Havana held a halal bihalal event at Wisma Indonesia which was attended not only by Indonesian citizens (WNI), but also diplomats from friendly countries including Malaysia, the Netherlands, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka , India, and Timor Leste who became Indonesia's diplomatic partners in Havana.

"This year's Eid al-Fitr feels more festive than the previous year's Eid because nearly 800 Muslims in Havana, especially students from West Africa and the Middle East, came to perform Eid prayers," said Ambassador Nana.

The Cambodian and Myanmar ambassadors who attended even took the time to play the guitar accompanying Indonesian vocalist Wanry Abang. Their appearance added to the excitement of the halal bi halal celebration this time.

"Sounds of friendly chatter and warm laughter were heard from various corners of Wisma Indonesia while enjoying a meal in the warm weather of Havana," wrote the Indonesian Embassy.

On this occasion, the Indonesian Ambassador, Nana Yuliana, told about the traditions of celebrating Eid in Indonesia, such as returning home and takbiran, including the accompaniment of beating the drum and the sungkeman event which was exhibited during the halal bi halal event. The Indonesian Embassy also used this event to promote Indonesian culture as well as special Eid culinary delights to foreigners.

The intimate atmosphere feels warmer with the Eid special menu served by Wisma Indonesia, namely ketupat, chicken opor, potato fried chili, and crackers plus Havana-style kebuli rice.

"Halal bi halal in Havana this year seems to be able to cure homesickness," said Natasha, an Indonesian citizen in Havana.

Islam existed in Cuba since the Spanish colonial era in the 15th century. Many Muslims from West Africa were brought by Spain to work on sugar plantations in Cuba at that time.

"According to Sr. Jorge Ella Gil Viant, a Cuban who is active in interfaith dialogue in this socialist-communist country, there are around 6,000 Muslims out of the 11.3 million total population in Cuba," wrote the Indonesian Embassy in Havana.

Muslim students from Africa, West Sahara, Yemen, Palestine and other Arab countries who studied medicine in Cuba had a major influence on Muslim development, especially in the 1990s. Even though Cuba is a communist socialist country, the Cuban constitution provides freedom and guarantees its citizens to embrace their respective religions.

"Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parilla congratulated all Muslims in Cuba on celebrating Eid Al-Fitr," wrote the Indonesian Embassy in Havana. (VOI/Andy)

VOInews, Jakarta: As many as 538 Indonesian Citizens (WNI) were successfully evacuated to Port Sudan on Monday (24/4/2023). Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi said the Indonesian citizens arrived at Port Sudan at 01.00 in the morning local time or 06.00 WIB. According to her, all Indonesian citizens who were evacuated consisted of 273 women, 240 men, and 25 toddlers.

"Most of the Indonesian citizens who were evacuated were Indonesian students, Indonesian Migrant Workers, Indofood company employees, and Indonesian Embassy staff and their families," she said in a statement delivered in Jakarta, Monday (24/4/2023).

Foreign Minister Retno explained that the evacuation to Port Sudan was a phase 1 evacuation led directly by the Indonesian Ambassador in Khartoum. According to him, the evacuation was carried out using 8 buses and 1 mini bus owned by the Indonesian Embassy in Khartoum.

"This phase 1 evacuation departed from Khartoum on Sunday April 23 at 08.00 WS (13.00 WIT)," said the Foreign Minister.

Retno explained, Indonesian citizens needed around 15 hours to travel by land from Khartoum - Port Sudan which is about 830 KM via the cities of Atbara, Damir, Mismar and Sawakin City.

"There are about 15 checkpoints along the way," she said.

Currently, Retno added, the 538 Indonesian citizens were resting at a halfway house in Port Sudan before departing for Jeddah by sea. Meanwhile, preparations for returning to Indonesia are also continuing.

Furthermore, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi said there were still 289 other Indonesian citizens in Khartoum who would be evacuated in the second stage at the first opportunity. According to him, most of the Indonesian citizens were students and five company workers.

"The initial plan was for all Indonesian citizens to be evacuated by taking advantage of the ceasefire. However, due to fuel restrictions for buses that will transport Indonesian citizens and other evacuees, the evacuation cannot be carried out in one stage," Retno explained.

She also appealed to every Indonesian citizen who is still in Sudan and has not reported himself, to immediately report his whereabouts to the Indonesian Embassy in Khartoum so that an evacuation can also be carried out in the second phase.

"We ask for your prayers so that further evacuation can be carried out safely. Once again, the situation on the ground is very fluid and very dynamic," said the Foreign Minister. (VOI/Andy)

VOInews, Jakarta: Member of Commission I of the Indonesian Parliament Christina Aryani fully supports the evacuation steps for Indonesian citizens in Sudan following the armed conflict in the region. Christina hopes that the evacuation process will run smoothly and safely until she arrives safely in her homeland.

"The decision to evacuate is the right step for the current deteriorating situation in Sudan. Just like other countries which have started evacuating their citizens, we hope that our Indonesian citizens who will start leaving Sudan can be safe until they arrive in their homeland," Christina told reporters in Jakarta, Monday (24/4/2023). 

She added, based on communication with the Director General of Consular Protocol of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the evacuation process was carried out by road from Khartoum to the Port of Sudan with a distance of around 1,200 km. Furthermore, Indonesian citizens will cross by boat to Jeddah, then fly from Jeddah to Jakarta.

"This process is certainly not easy. We pray that everything goes smoothly, there are no significant obstacles, especially on the way to the port of Sudan," said Christina.

Based on provisional data from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there were 850 Indonesian citizens who would be evacuated. It is known that the majority of Indonesian citizens in Sudan are students. (VOI/Andy)

Jakarta (voinews): Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy suggested Eid al-Fitr exodus travelers delay their returns to their residences to April 26-30 to avoid traffic congestion.

"Dissemination needs to be carried out massively so that people, especially those who are not in a hurry (to return), whose affairs are not urgent, delay their return schedule, namely to around April 26-30, 2023, to avoid buildups of vehicles," he said after a meeting on Eid exodus return flow period here on Sunday.

Effendy made the statement in relation to the prediction of state-owned toll road operator PT Jasa Marga that 203 thousand vehicles will make return trips to Jakarta and its surrounding areas on April 24-25, 2023.

Despite the suggestion, he underlined that for those who cannot delay their return, there is no restriction to return on April 24-25, 2023.

On that occasion, he noted that the Eid exodus flow ran smoothly.

"Based on our monitoring, all modes of transportation are running quite smoothly or even very smoothly during this Eid exodus," he said.

To this end, he expressed gratitude and appreciation to all parties that have given their all for the smooth flow of the Eid exodus.

"I, personally, or as the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture who has been tasked as coordinator would express gratitude, especially to the National Police Chief, Transportation Minister, and the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing that have given full support," he said.

"Also thanks to journalists for their cooperation, especially in providing information from the field, for their feedback, and for their invaluable contribution to the management of the Eid exodus flow in 2023," he continued.

For this year's Eid al-Fitr, the government has projected that the number of Eid exodus travelers will reach 123 million. The figure reflects an increase compared to the number of exodus travelers in 2022, which stood at 85 million. (Antaranews)