Declining Eid travel and spending in Indonesia and discrimination in India dampen holiday spirit

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — The usual festive mood of Eid al-Fitr holiday to mark the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan has been subdued in Indonesia this year as people grapple with soaring prices for food, clothing and essential goods.

Consumer spending ahead of the biggest religious holiday for Muslims, which was celebrated on Sunday in Indonesia, has declined compared to the previous year, with a predicted slowdown in cash circulation due to fewer travelers.

Each year in Indonesia, nearly three-quarters of the population of the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country travel for the annual homecoming known locally as “mudik” that is always welcomed with excitement.

People pour out of major cities to return to villages to celebrate the holiday with prayers, feasts and family gatherings. Flights are overbooked and anxious relatives weighed down with boxes of gifts form long lines at bus and train stations for the journey

But this year the Transportation Ministry said Eid travelers reached 146 million people, a 24% drop from last year’s 194 million travelers.

The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry projects that money circulation during Eid will reach 137.97 trillion rupiah ($8.33 billion), down from 157.3 trillion last year. The weakening purchasing power is also reflected in Bank Indonesia’s Consumer Confidence Index which dipped to 126.4 in February from 127.2 in January.

Bhima Yudistira, executive director of the Center for Economic and Law Studies, or Celios, said those trends indicate the economy is under strain, driven by economic hardship, coupled with currency depreciation and mass layoffs in manufacturing.

“These have weakened both corporate earnings and workers’ incomes that suppress consumer spending,” Yudistira said, adding he “expects a less vibrant festive season.”

He said the festive spirit has been stifled by harsh economic realities, as soaring prices and dwindling incomes force residents to prioritize survival over celebration.

Traditionally household consumption is a key driver of Indonesia’s GDP. It contributed over 50% to the economy last year, helping push annual growth to 5.11%. However, consumer spending in 2025 is expected to be more subdued, Yudistira said.

Despite the downturn, the government remains optimistic that the Ramadan and Eid momentum will support economic growth in the first quarter of 2025.

“Eid usually boosts the economy through increased spending,” Chief Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto said ahead of the Islamic holiday.

The government recently introduced incentives to stimulate economic activity, including airfare and toll road fee discounts, nationwide online shopping events, direct cash assistance for 16 million households, electricity bill reductions for low-consumption customers, and tax exemptions for labor-intensive sectors.

“With these programs in place, the government hopes to sustain consumer spending and support economic stability,” Hartarto said.

The situation has also affected Endang Trisilowati, a mother of four, who said her family had to scale down their festivities budget.

“Honestly, the economic hardship is affecting us,” Trisilowati said. She described how she used to cook different dishes every Eid and invite neighbors, but now she can only afford a simple meal for her family.

“Many have resorted to just finding a way to eat on that festivity, but the spirit is low,” she said.

In India, Muslims are marking the celebration of Eid with special prayers, family gatherings and festive meals.

The holiday comes as the minority community faces vilification by hardline Hindu nationalists. Muslim groups are also protesting against a proposal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to change laws governing Muslim land endowments.

The government says it wants to weed out corruption and mismanagement in hundreds of thousands of Muslim land endowments. But Muslim groups say the proposal pending approval in India’s parliament is discriminatory.

Muslims, who comprise 14% of India’s 1.4 billion population, are the largest minority group in the Hindu-majority nation.

Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party launched a nationwide initiative called “Saugat-e-Modi,” or “Modi’s gift,” during Ramadan that is expected to provide food and clothes to over 3 million underprivileged Muslims to celebrate Eid.

In New Delhi, thousands assembled in the Jama Masjid, one of the country’s largest mosques, to offer Eid prayers. Families came together early Monday morning and many people shared hugs and wishes.

“This is a day of giving and receiving love. Even if you meet an enemy, meet them with love today,” said 18-year-old student Mohammed Nooruddin.

Associated Press writers Aijaz Hussain in Srinagar and Rishi Lekhi in New Delhi, India, contributed to this report.

Muslims attend a prayer at National Mosque for the Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

A person leaves National Mosque after the Eid al-Fitr prayer marking the end the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

People attend prayer at National Mosque for the Eid al-Fitr, marking the end the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

A child looks on as people pray at National Mosque for the Eid al-Fitr, marking the end the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Muslims attend a prayer at National Mosque for the Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Children hold torches as a chicken noodle vendor serves customers during a parade celebrating the eve of Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Children hold torches as they parade to celebrate the eve of Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, on a street in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Muslim women walk with children at National Mosque after the Eid al-Fitr prayer marking the end the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayer marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan on a street in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Muslims gather for Eid al-Fitr prayer marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan on a street in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayer marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan on a street in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayer marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan on a street in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayer marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan on a street in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Muslims gather for Eid al-Fitr prayer marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan on a street in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Muslims perform an Eid al-Fitr prayer that marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, on a street in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Muslims gather for Eid al-Fitr prayer marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan on a street in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Muslims perform an Eid al-Fitr prayer that marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at a gas station in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

A stray cat sits on the sidewalk as Muslim women prepare to perform an Eid al-Fitr prayer that marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, on a street in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Muslims perform an Eid al-Fitr prayer that marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, on a street in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Muslims perform an Eid al-Fitr prayer that marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, on a street in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Muslims gather for Eid al-Fitr prayer marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan on a street in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Muslims gather for Eid al-Fitr prayer marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan on a street in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Muslim women perform an Eid al-Fitr prayer that marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, on a street in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayer marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan on a street in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland lawmakers voted Wednesday to create a commission to study and recommend potential reparations for slavery and the lingering effects of racial discrimination in the state.

The 101-36 vote in the Maryland House sends the bill to Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat who says he will consider the legislation.

Potential reparations outlined in the bill include official statements of apology, monetary compensation, property tax rebates, social service assistance, as well as licensing and permit fee waivers and reimbursement. Reparations also could include assistance with making a down payment on a home, business incentives, child care, debt forgiveness, and tuition payment waivers for higher education.

The measure was a top priority of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, which has 66 members and is the largest Black caucus in the nation's state legislatures.

“The commission will carefully examine and evaluate a range of reparations proposals that will not only consider financial restitution, but will also explore strategies to support and uplift vulnerable communities that continue to suffer the lingering and evasive effects of discriminatory practices rooted in systematic racism,” Del. Aletheia McCaskill, a Baltimore County Democrat, said when the caucus outlined its priorities for the legislative session in January.

Moore, who is the state's first Black governor and nation's only Black governor currently in office, has declined to say whether he will sign the measure, noting the lingering impact of racism while also acknowledging the state's difficult budget conditions.

“I have said and long stated that the history of racism in this state is real,” the governor told reporters, adding that the impacts "are still very much being felt and they’ve been structurally felt within the state of Maryland.”

Moore also noted the state's fiscal constraints in a tough budget year, saying he's viewing legislation through the lens of growing Maryland's economy, making the state more business-friendly and investing in the state's people.

Last year, California lawmakers passed some of the nation’s most ambitious legislation aimed at atoning for a legacy of racist policies that drove racial disparities for Black people. None of the bills provided widespread direct payments to Black Americans. Instead, California lawmakers approved the return of land or compensation to families whose property was unjustly seized by the government, and issuing a formal apology.

New York City lawmakers approved legislation last year to study the city’s significant role in slavery and consider reparations to descendants of enslaved people.

Maryland Del. Aletheia McCaskill, a Democrat, speaks about a bill to create a state commission to study potential reparations for slavery during a news conference with members of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Jan. 16, 2025, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Brian Witte)