Isra and Mi'raj Holiday

2022 Isra and Mi'raj Holiday

Indonesia is the fifth country with the highest number of national holidays, which is around 16 days every year due to various celebrations. One of Indonesia’s national holiday is Isra Mi’raj. Since 1953, Isra Mi’raj has been made into a national holiday. The establishment of Isra Mi’raj and other religious holiday is available in the presidential decree number 24.

Isra Mi’raj is celebrated every 27th of Rajab in the Islamic calendar. Isra Mi’raj is commemorating the journey taken by The Prophet Muhammad to heaven, the night when The Prophet was given the order for Salat—the ritual Islamic prayer which is prescribed five times daily. Some countries have their own way to celebrate Isra Mi’raj such as Qur’an recitation or distribute food to the neighbors.

Isra Mi’raj is expected to fall on Monday, 28 February 2022. If you wish to go on holiday, you can either take one day off on Friday. This way, you will be able to have at least 5 days of holidays which you can use to travel out of the city or abroad.

The unique tradition to celebrate Isra Mi’raj in Indonesia

Indonesia is known as the most populous country with the Muslim majority in the world, it is no wonder that people here take Isra Mi’raj celebration seriously. For example, Cirebon of West Java celebrates Isra Mi’raj by doing Rajaban, a pilgrimage to Plangon site where two historical Islam propagators were buried. Other tradition includes Qur’an recitation at the Keraton Kasepuhan—the local palace of Cirebon.

Besides the unique tradition in Cirebon, Kampung Bukit in Bangka Belitung province also has one single culture. The tradition is called ‘nanggung’, which consist of distributing food to neighbors in a hamper or basket from cookies to local fruits. Besides people in Kampung Bukit, nanggung is also commonly practiced by people living in South Bangka.

Isra Mi’raj is also celebrated at the border

Not only in big cities, but people living in border areas also have their own tradition to celebrate Isra Mi’raj. For example, people who live in Sebatik—the border between Malaysia and Indonesia—Isra Mi’raj is celebrated by baking cookies for the mosque to be consumed later after the celebration ended.

In other borders in Karo, North Sumatra people are practicing the tradition called ‘kerja Tuhan’ or literally translated as God’s work, where people are holding harvest party to show grace over God’s blessings. The time for this celebration is varied in each village, decided by the village head.

Isra Mi’raj celebration in Canada and the United States

Not only in Indonesia, Isra Mi’raj is also acknowledged and celebrated in other countries such as the United States. Thousands of Muslims will gather in the local mosque for Qur’an recitation. Besides the recitation, people also celebrate Isra Mi’raj by having a feast together with family and friends.

Canada also has its own tradition in celebrating Isra Mi’raj. Muslims living in Canada would cook some food to be distributed to the neighbors. The concept is basically the same as practiced by the Indonesians, the difference will be in the type of dishes they cook. Instead of distributing main courses, Muslims in Canada usually distribute sweets.

If you’re interested in using up Isra Mi’raj holiday to go on vacation, you’d better start planning. Try to take 1 day off before Isra Mi’raj 2022, you will be able to get an extended holiday. You can use Isra Mi’raj holiday to visit your dream destination either in Indonesia or abroad. One recommendation is to visit Solo or Yogyakarta where you can actually feel the celebration. You can also use this holiday to go overseas.

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