Banyumas, Central Java (ANTARA News) - A small group of Muslims in Banyumas, Central Java, will celebrate the end of fasting month on Thursday, September 1, their spokesman said.

"Based on our calendar that we have followed since hundreds of years ago, the Lebaran (Idul Fitri) for followers of Islam Aboge will fall this year on Thursday, September 1," Sudiworo (60), one of the group`s elders in Kracak village, said here on Monday.

Regarding the preparations for it he said there would be nothing special. It would all proceed as usual although the majority could celebrate ahead of them, he added.

Hundreds of Islam Aboge are found spreading in several villages in Banyumas such as Cibangkong, Kracak, Cikakak and Tambaknegara. A few others are found in Onje, in the nearby district Purbalingga.

The group members are followers of late cleric Raden Rasid Sayid Kuning. Their calendar has been used since the 14th century spread by Raden Rasid Sayid Kuning.

It is based on a cycle of eight years of Alif, Ha, Jim Awal, Za, Dal, Ba/Be, Wawu, and Jim Akhir with one year consisting of 12 months and each month consists of 29-30 days based on a traditional Javanese five-day a week calendar namely Pon, Wage, Kliwon, Manis (Legi), and Pahing.

Based on that the fall of Idul Fitri according to them is on the year of Alif on Rabo (Wednesday) Wage, shortened into Abogo after which the group is named.(*)

H-YH/HAJM/F001

Editor: Jafar M Sidik
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