More Than A Hundred Singaporeans To Sacrifice Goats In Batam Island

Batam, Riau Islands, Oct 14 (Antara) - At least a hundred Singaporeans will celebrate the Islamic Day of Sacrifice (Idul Adha) 1434 Hijriah in the Batam of Riau Islands Province by sacrificing goats. "We predicted that the number of Singaporeans and Malaysians who celebrate Idul Adha in Batam is more than a hundred. They visit several mosques in Batam," said head of tourism facilities and objects of Batam city tourism service Rudi Panjaitan here on Monday. He said a number of Singaporeans who visit the mosques in old town area have relatives who continue to live in this region. Singaporeans mostly visit few villages such as Batu Merah, Batu Besar, Tanjunguma, Tanjung Sengkuang and Belakang Padang Island. According to Rudi, close kinship ties between the citizens of both countries prompt these foreigners to celebrate Idul Adha in Batam. "There are still close-knit ties among the citizens," Rudi said. Idul Adha committee chief of Batam Great Mosque, Tatang said at least 50 Singaporeans will sacrifice goats in Batam. "They have ordered the goats and we have prepared 50 of these animal heads on demand," he said. Tatang said the Singaporeans bought goats at an average of more than RP2 million. These foreigners arrived in Batam on Monday and will perform prayers for Idul Adha on Tuesday besides watching the goat sacrifice.