Indonesia greets Ramadan with mass prayer as Covid curbs ease

The world's largest Muslim-majority nation ofIndonesiawelcomed the start of the holy fasting month ofRamadanwith amassprayerat Jakarta's grand mosque on Saturday, with plateauing coronavirus cases allowing foreased restrictions this year.

Thousands gathered after dusk at Istiqlal mosque in theIndonesian capital to join the Tarawihprayer, specialprayers performed only during the month ofRamadan, donning masks and using check-in apps to take part in the event.

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For the past two yearsIndonesiahas grappled with one of the highest rates ofCOVID-19 in Asia, but thisRamadan, traditionally a time of community, reflection andprayer, cases haveeased enough to allow formassgatherings.

"I feel grateful that we are finally able to gather for the Tarawihprayer, and there are no strict restrictions this time like before," said Tri Haryono, 28.

"I'm very grateful that we can finally pray here together."

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Amid the worst spikes in the coronavirus pandemic,Indonesian Muslims have been prohibited from praying at the mosque, and joining the annual mudik or exodus tradition, when millions travel to visit their families across the sprawling archipelago.

President Joko Widodo announced last week that mudik would be permitted this year after pandemic-related travel bans have prevented the practise for the past two years.

"The improving covidsituation has brought optimism as theRamadanholy month is upon us," he told a news conference.

The start ofRamadan, during which observers abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset, can fall on different dates due to differences in sightings of the new moon.

This year fasting month began earlier in much of the Middle East and South Asia than in Southeast Asia, which started fasting on Sunday.