The Islamic holy month of Ramadan, when many Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, or smoking during daylight hours, began on 1 August and will conclude with a three-day public holiday celebrating Eid al-Fitr (comparable to our Thanksgiving) around 31 August.
Ramadan marks the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The exact dates of Eid al-Fitr will depend on the sighting of the moon. During Ramadan, many Indonesian restaurants are closed during the day and open after sunset, at which time they typically become very busy. Both the public and private sectors observe reduced working days and business meetings may only be kept sporadically or canceled on short notice.
As the month progresses, banners and flags go up in recognition of the occasion. By the end of the month, a large portion of the population of Jakarta will return to the family in the other parts of Indonesia to visit and strengthen family ties. Millions of cars and motorcycles will jam the roads and highways causing massive traffic jams each year.
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