Jakarta, NU Online
Vice President Jusuf Kalla attended the Islamic New Year celebration on Muharram 1, 1436 Hijr at the Bung Karno Sports Stadium, Jakarta, on Sunday morning.<>

The vice president was welcomed by thousands of Muslims coming from Jakarta and its satellite towns of Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi (Jabodetabek).

The event was also attended by the chairmen of the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI), the Indonesian Muslim Students Association (HMI) and other Islamic organizations, including invitees and ambassadors from other countries.

Muslim preacher Yusuf Mansur and singers such as Giring Nidji, Kristina and the Wali Band group also attended the celebration.
MUI Chairman Din Syamsuddin said the celebration should proceed smoothly and hopefully next year it would be celebrated more alive.

"This year's Islamic New Year celebrations constituted a mental switch for Indonesia. The event should serve as a momentum for the government to work for the welfare of the people," he said.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq