Muslims in Indonesia are shopping for sweets and new clothes and taking part in traditional festivities as millions mark the start of the holy month of Ramadan, set to begin Saturday.
Indonesia’s Trade Ministry has said prices of imported staple foods including wheat, sugar, beef and soybeans have increased sharply this year as a result of rising global commodity prices and supply chain disruptions.
“The current gloomy economic situation and extreme weather recently also contribute to the soaring prices and the weakening of people's purchasing power,” said Heru Tatok, a trader in Jakarta's Pasar Senen market.
Hotels, restaurants and cafes all prepare special Ramadan promotions, and shoppers flock to shopping centers for new clothes and home decorations for the holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan.
Chinese Indonesian communities also participated in the parade by performing the vibrant “barongsai” or “lion dance,” a prominent part of Chinese New Year celebration, to the sound of drums and trumpets.
