Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago. Due to the country's huge size it contains a high degree of diversity in terms of religion and traditional belief systems. Although Indonesia has a Muslim-majority population, it is a secular democracy with a constitution that guarantees all Indonesian citizens the freedom of worship, each according to his or her own religion or belief (this system does not function perfectly in reality, however). Still, it means that Indonesia contains many (mostly religion-inspired) public holidays on which the nation's financial markets are closed.

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Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago. Due to the country's huge size it contains a high degree of diversity in terms of religion and traditional belief systems. Although Indonesia has a Muslim-majority population, it is a secular democracy with a constitution that guarantees all Indonesian citizens the freedom of worship, each according to his or her own religion or belief (this system does not function perfectly in reality, however). Still, it means that Indonesia contains many (mostly religion-inspired) public holidays on which the nation's financial markets are closed.

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On Friday (01/09) markets are closed in Indonesia as the people celebrate Idul Adha, the day of sacrifice. On this public holiday people commemorate a story that is known in both Muslim and Christian circles, namely Ibrahim (Abraham)'s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismael, to God. At the last moment, however, God intervened and told Ibrahim to sacrifice a sheep instead of Ismael. Ibrahim's act proved his commitment to God.

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Today, 17 August 2017, Indonesia celebrates its 72nd Independence Day. It is a national public holiday and therefore all financial markets are closed. Indonesia Investments released a newsletter that is devoted to this historic day. This newsletter contains stories including Soekarno's struggle for Independence, the origin of Indonesia's national anthem, an overview of the colonial period, stories of national heroes, and more.

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Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago. And due to the country's enormous size it contains a high degree of diversity in terms of religion and traditional beliefs. Although Indonesia has a Muslim-majority population, it is a secular democracy with a constitution that guarantees all Indonesian citizens the freedom of worship, each according to his or her own religion or belief (this system does not function perfectly in reality, however). Still, it means that Indonesia contains many (mostly religion-inspired) public holidays on which the nation's financial markets are closed.

Read more ›

Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago. Due to the country's sheer size (implying diversity) it contains a variety of different religions and traditional beliefs. The Constitution of Indonesia, a secular democratic country containing a Muslim-majority population, guarantees all Indonesian citizens the freedom of worship, each according to his or her own religion or belief. This also means that Indonesia contains many, mostly religion-inspired, public holidays on which financial markets are closed.

Read more ›

Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago. Due to the country's sheer size (implying diversity) it contains a variety of different religions and traditional beliefs. The Constitution of Indonesia, a secular democratic country containing a Muslim-majority population, guarantees all Indonesian citizens the freedom of worship, each according to his or her own religion or belief. This also means that Indonesia contains many, mostly religion-inspired, public holidays on which financial markets are closed.

Read more ›

Indonesia is a large and diverse country. One of the implications of this diverse context is that the country contains a variety of different religions and traditional beliefs. The Constitution of Indonesia, a secular democratic country containing a Muslim-majority population, guarantees all Indonesian citizens the freedom of worship, each according to his or her own religion or belief. This also means that Indonesia contains many, mostly religion-inspired, public holidays on which financial markets are closed.

Read more ›

Saturday 17 March 2018 is a public holiday in Indonesia. On this day the Hindu community of Indonesia, which mostly lives on the island of Bali, celebrates Nyepi i.e. the Day of Silence or the Hindu New Year in the Balinese Saka calendar. As Nyepi is a day of self-reflection for the Indonesian Hindu community, activities come to a near complete standstill from 6 am to 6 pm. Local rules instruct that Hindus are not allowed to light fires (or lamps), work, eat, talk, nor are they allowed to be engaged in any sort of other entertainment.

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