Padang, NU Online
At least 3,000 Jamaah Thariqat Naqsabandiyah members in West Sumatra celebrated Idul Adha on Saturday, two days earlier than the day decided by government in consultation with most Muslim groups.

"In our calculating, at most there are 30 days in a month. Meanwhile, there are other groups that calculate one month up to 31 days. So, every year we celebrate Idul Adha earlier than other groups," said Munir, 70, the caretaker of Surau Baru mosque.

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He added that the group also started the fasting month and celebrated Idul Fitri two days earlier every year.

About 40 members of Naqsabandiyah in Central Cupak sub-district, Pauh district, Padang city, mostly elderly women, started their Idul Adha morning prayer at 7:30 a.m. in Surau Baru mosque led by the group leader, Khilan, while the preacher, Badar, presented a sermon in Arabic.

After having Idul Adha prayers in the mosque built in 1910, the members then slaughtered seven goats of average weight 10-14 kilograms in the old mosque square.

"Currently we face a financial crisis, we cannot provide cows," said Munir, adding that the goats meat would be distributed to the group's members and people living near to the mosque.

Syafri Malin Mudo, 78, the teacher in Surau Baitul Makmur mosque in Pauh district, disclosed that Naqsabandiyah's teachings were brought to West Sumatra by Syech M Thaib in 1806 when he founded the first surau in Piai, Pauh district.

In Padang city alone, there are 50 Naqsabandiyah mosques with about 1,500 members. While in other regions, like in Solok Selatan, Pesisir Selatan, Limapuluh Kota, Padang Pariaman and Pasaman regencies there are also 50 mosques with about another 1,500 members.

Syafri said Naqsabandiyah members decided the timing of Ramadan, Idul Fitri and Idul Adha by making their own calculations, taking into account there being only 30 days in each month.

He claimed the same calculation had been used by group members for generations, as set out in the Koran.

"We never changed the method decided by our forefathers," he added.

Indonesian Muslims have been divided on when to start the Ramadan holy month and when to celebrate Idul Fitri as well as Idul Adha due to Islamic organizations using different methods to determine the beginning of the new Islamic calendar month. (jp/dar)