President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) performed Eid prayers with members of the community at the West Sumatra Grand Mosque in Padang on Wednesday. 

The president and First Lady Iriana arrived at the mosque at around 7:15 a.m. local time in the company of Minister/State Secretary Pratikno, Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, Regional Representative Council Chairman Irman Gusman, and West Java Governor Irwan Prayitno. 

Last year, President Jokowi had performed Eid prayers at the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Aceh and had spoken of starting a new tradition of celebrating Eid with the people in the regions.

The president and first lady arrived in Padang on Monday on a working visit that included celebrating Eid with the local community of the city of Padang.

President Jokowi affirmed that his visit to West Sumatra this time was to keep his promise of being with the people of the city for the Eid al-Fitr celebrations this year.

"Last year, the governor invited me to celebrate Eid in Padang. Since I had given him my word, I am here to keep that promise," the president revealed after attending the evening Ramadhan prayer at the Nurul Iman Mosque on Monday.

President Jokowi expressed gratitude that an agreement had been reached to declare Eid on Wednesday, July 6.

The decision was approved by both Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama, the countrys two major Islamic organizations.

"Thank God. We always expected it. We started on the same day, and so, we will also celebrate Eid al-Fitr on the same day," he said.

After performing the Eid prayers, the president and his entourage will leave Padang for Solo and Yogyakarta for a working visit as well as for holding a cordial gathering with the community of Central Java.
 

Source: ANTARA