REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PONTIANAK -- Thousands of secondary and senior high school students paraded through Pontianak, the provincial capital city of West Kalimantan, to mark the Islamic New Year that falls on Saturday (25/10).

"Alhamdulillah (Thank God) the parade this year is more alive than in earlier years. This has happened because of the younger generation's improved awareness of the meaning of the Islamic New Year and other Islamic commemorative days," Pontianak Mayor Sutarmidji said.

Floats carrying Islamic ornaments, as well as drum bands from schools in the city, were highlights of the parade.

Mayor Sutarmidji was positioned at the start of the parade, which saw participants such as mosque care takers, prayers groups, Islamic boarding schools, city administration officials and state-owned companies.

"We must be grateful for the younger generation's care (for religious days), which is now improving. It would be dangerous if their care loosens, as it would take time to restore it," he said.

Mayor Sutarmidji also called on all Muslims to welcome the new year as a time for evaluation and introspection and to perform good deeds for a better future.

"Let us pray together so that we are allowed to see the next new year and improve the implementation of our religious duties and avoid acts banned by Allah Swt," he said.

The organizing committee chairman, Aswani Samhudi, said the parade was aimed at increasing Islamic brotherhood and solidarity, as well as to propagate Islam.

"We hope the celebration of Islamic days could popularize implementation of Islamic values in the public's daily lives and thus improve the quality of Muslims in carrying out their daily activities," he said.

A total of 66 groups from junior and senior high schools and 33 floats were seen in the parade.

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