Aboge muslims perform Idul Fitri prayers on Tuesday

Banyumas, NU Online
Hundreds of members of the Aboge Muslim sect in Banyumas district, Central Java, performed Idul Fitri prayers on Tuesday morning, September 22, 2009.

Although Idul Fitri was nationally observed on Sunday, September 20, 2009, the Aboge Muslim community flocked to the Baitussalam or Saka Tungal mosque at Cikakak village, Wangon subdistrict in Banyumas on Tuesday to perform the holy day`s prayers, led by Sopani, the village`s Muslim elder.<>

After the prayers, Sopani said the Aboge creed of Islam was brought to Cikakak village in 1288 Hijriah by Eyang Mustolih, and had now been in existence in the area for 10 generations.

Sopani said he was not sure to which Aboge generation he himself belonged.

Although Aboge Muslims observe Idul Fitri on Tuesday, the way in which they do it is the same as other Muslims in general and in accordance with the Hadits and Koranic teachings.

Meanwhile, hundreds of other Aboge Muslims also performed Idul Fitri prayers at the villages of Tambaknegara in Rawalo subdistrict, Kracak in Ajibarang subdistrict, and Onje in Mrebet subdistrict, Purbalingga district on Tuesday.

Aboge stands for Alip Rebo Wage, and was propagated by cleric Raden Rasid Sayid Kuning of the Pajang kingdom in the 14th century.

The sect holds the belief that the first day of the week is Friday and a month is made up of 29 to 30 days. (dar)