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Asia Tactical (UPDATE): Eid-ul-Fitr to be 12 celebrated as public holiday across Asia JUN beginning June 14-15; maintain vigilance 14:07 UTC

Please be advised:

Eid-ul-Fitr, a festival that marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, will be celebrated across multiple countries in Asia with sizeable or majority Muslim populations. The holiday will begin during the evening hours (local time) on June 14 and last for several days. In celebration of the date, large prayer gatherings will occur at and public prayer sites. Eid-ul-Fitr is typically marked as a public holiday by governments in Muslim-majority countries, with public and private offices liable to face closures.

page 1 / 9 • In Bangladesh, Eid-ul-Fitr will be marked as a public holiday from June 15-17. In Dhaka, the main religious congregation will be held at the Jatiya or National Eidgah, beginning at 08:30, where approximately 90,000 worshippers are anticipated to attend religious services. Other large services are typically held at Baitul Mukarram National . Special security measures will be implemented in these locations, as well as at religious ceremonies throughout the country. Police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) personnel will be deployed at transport terminals and entry and exit points to large cities. In Chittagong, the Deputy Commissioner reportedly ordered security to be strengthened ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr in order to thwart potential militant attacks.

page 2 / 9 • In Indonesia, Eid-ul-Fitr will also be marked as a public holiday from June 15-18. The government has announced that it plans to provide allocated areas for Muslims to celebrate the onset of the holiday during the evening hours of June 14, to prevent disruptions caused by street celebrations. These areas have not been announced as of writing. In Jakarta, the biggest religious congregation is typically held at Istiqlal Mosque. On June 10, the Indonesian National Police reportedly urged officers to remain on alert for militant attacks as Eid approaches, with security measures enhanced accordingly.

page 3 / 9 • In , Eid-ul-Fitr will be marked as a public holiday from June 15-18.

• In , the Rawalpindi-Islamabad will enhance security provisions at religious sites, public places, and in the vicinity of sensitive government installations for the duration of the holiday. Additionally, police will patrol throughout the city and erect checkpoints to ensure the security of properties and verify suspicious vehicles. Security will also reportedly be increased at Faisal Mosque, which typically experiences large prayer gatherings attended by the national political leadership.

page 4 / 9 • In Lahore, the major religious services are typically held at on the outskirts of the Walled City, in Chota Mufti Baqar, Jamia Naeemia in Muhammad Nagar, Jamia Ashrafia in Fazlia Colony, in , and Jamia-tul-Muntazir in Model Town. All the mentioned locations reportedly saw a deployment of security and snipers on the rooftops of the mosques during Friday prayers throughout Ramadan.

page 5 / 9 • In Karachi, security is typically deployed during Eid celebrations in Bagh-e-Jinnah in Civil Line area, Nishtar Park in Soldier Bazar area, T-Ground in Federal B Area, and in Eidgah Ground in Nazimabad Block 3 area. In 2017, approximately 10,000 policemen and 5,000 Rangers were deployed during Eid celebrations.

page 6 / 9 • In Malaysia, Hari Raya Aidilfitri will be marked as a public holiday on June 14-15. Speed limits on federal and state roads are reportedly reduced until June 22 in order to limit road traffic accidents which typically spike as individuals travel home for the holiday. In Kuala Lumpur, 80 percent of the police force and traffic police will be deployed and on duty during the entire holiday period.

• In the Maldives and Sri Lanka, Eid-ul-Fitr, or Idul Fitr is a national public holiday, celebrated on June 15. In the Maldives, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs announced that a mass congregation is expected at the football stadium in Maafannu as well as at the Islamic Center in Male.

• In the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte declared June 15 as a national public holiday. However, the holiday is observed by the Muslim population until June 18. In Metro Manila, the largest gatherings are expected to take place at the Golden Mosque in Quiapo District, which can accommodate up to 3,000 worshippers. Other typical focal points for the holiday in the capital are the Quirino Grandstand and the open grounds of the Quezon Memorial Circle. In previous years, the Manila Police Department (MPD) has enhanced security measures in the vicinity of these Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations, including the deployment of canine units, plainclothes officers, and police checkpoints.

page 7 / 9 • In Singapore, Hari Raya Puasa, as it is known, falls on June 15, and was declared a national public holiday. The Singapore Police Force issued an advisory warning against pickpocketing during the holiday. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) warned of expected traffic congestion from June 14-18 and of potential delays at the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints connecting Singapore with Malaysia.

• Additionally, while the religious holiday was not declared a national holiday in Thailand, celebrations typically occur across the southern provinces with Muslim majority populations.

Assessments:

1. Although there do not appear to be any specific, credible threats of a militant attack at this time, Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations are likely considered a high-priority target for Islamist militant groups. An uptick in militant activity over the Ramadan period has been evidenced in the recent security incidents in Indonesia from May 14-16. Concerns over similar attacks against religious congregations and security forces, as well as areas with significant crowds, has likely informed government decisions to enhance security in their respective countries. 2. In light of the general concerns with both transnational militancy and homegrown militant cells, security is likely to be bolstered in large cities of all countries celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr, for the duration of the holiday. Security provisions likely will materialize in the form of increased checkpoints, ad hoc personal searches, as well as the deployment of armed personnel. The security measures, combined with the typically high turnout at Eid-ul-Fitr events, which can range from the low hundreds to the tens of thousands, is likely to cause significant travel disruptions in cities hosting major celebratory events. 3. Despite heightened security provisions, the large crowds typical of Eid-ul-Fitr events increase the risk of petty crimes, such as pickpocketing. In addition, as Eid-ul-Fitr is typically celebrated with family members, a substantial increase in traffic flow to and from urban centers is liable to result in additional travel delays and significant congestion on central

page 8 / 9 thoroughfares in the run-up to and the immediate aftermath of the holiday.

Recommendations:

1. Those operating or residing in any of the aforementioned countries in Asia are advised to maintain vigilance in the vicinity of any large, public gatherings related to the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations, in light of the latent potential for militant attacks. 2. Individuals operating or residing in the abovementioned countries are advised to allot for disruptions to travel and business continuity due to the various events related to the religious holiday and the slated closures of businesses and government offices. 3. In the event that a security checkpoint is encountered, act respectfully and patiently, while cooperating fully with security personnel. Refrain from photographing security personnel or documenting events. Ensure when traveling you have sufficient means of identification and can evidence if required, exactly where you are going. 4. Keep your valuables in a locked safe at your place of residence while traveling outside due to the increased potential for pickpocketing and petty crimes in crowded areas. Do not keep money or anything valuable in your back pockets. Wear backpacks on the front of the body and secure zips with padlocks when in public.

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