Some 32,000 residents of West Java`s Sukabumi district took part in a traditional Ta`ruf parade in observance of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan 1340 H here on Thursday.
The parade`s participants consisted of students of Kindergartens (TKs), primary schools (SDs), Junior High Schools (SMPs), Senior High Schools (SMAs), Islamic Boarding Schools (Pesantren) as well as members of Islamic mass organizations in the region.
Flagged off by Sukabumi Mayor Mokh Muslikh Abdussyukur, the parade around Sukabumi`s main streets also included marching bands.
The chairman of the Ramadhan parade`s organizing committee, Hilman Asmarahadi, said the parade was aimed at welcoming the Islamic holy month. The first day of the Ramadhan is expected to fall on Saturday, August 22, 2009.
Meanwhile, Bengkulu Governor Agusrin Maryono Najamuddin and Vice Governor HM Syamlan, Lc planned to carry out a Ramadhan safari (visits) to nine districts in the province.
"The governor and vice governor will conduct separate visits of the Ramadhan Safari," head of the provincial, religious, administration, and welfare affairs division, Pahmi said, adding that the vice governor will start the first of the Safari service on August 24. In the meantime, governor Agusrin Maryono Najamuddin in the company of preacher Syafruddin Irfan Mustasar will begin the safari on August 31 at the Sabilillah mosque in Tanjung Harapan village, Padang Jaya subdistrict, Bengkulu Utara district.
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