Far From Home, but Close in Spirit: How Eid at Site Obi Feels Like Family

02 April 2025

Not everyone can celebrate Eid al-Fitr with their families. For many workers at Harita Nickel’s Obi Island site, the holiday was spent far from home, surrounded by the routines of work. Even so, a strong sense of togetherness, care, and shared purpose filled the day.

To keep the spirit of Eid alive, each Harita business unit held special activities. There were torchlight parades on the night before Eid, group prayers in the morning, and festive meals in the canteen. These simple efforts made the celebration feel meaningful and personal.

At PT Trimegah Bangun Persada Tbk (TBP), PT Gane Permai Sentosa (GPS), and PT Halmahera Jaya Feronikel (HJF), employees gathered for halal bihalal, an Indonesian tradition of reconciliation and forgiveness after Ramadan. This moment became more special because it was also attended by the Director of Operations of Harita Nickel, Younsel Evand Roos.

Although rain canceled the torch parade at PT Karunia Permai Sentosa (KPS) and PT Obi Sinar Timur (OST), the celebration continued indoors at Obi Café where laughter, prayer, and song carried the night.

Hartopoh Haryanto, Superintendent of HRGA at TBP, on behalf of management expressed his appreciation for the dedication of Harita Nickel’s employees to maintain optimal operational activities, even during the Ied. “We choose to be apart during Eid not because we don’t miss home, but because of our love for the people we left behind,” he said, recognizing the sacrifices made by those who kept operations running on the holiday.

Agus Margono, Superintendent of HRGA at HJF, echoed the sentiment. “We’re not just coworkers, we’re family. One Harita, standing together through joy and hardship. Eid Mubarak, from the bottom of our hearts,” he said. 

For Rizka Aulia Rahmah, a Turbine Operation Foreman at PT Halmahera Persada Lygend (HPL), this was her second Eid away from her hometown of Bekasi, West Java.

“We support each other as fellow Insan Harita. For example, by sharing a meal together after the Eid prayer. It still feels special, even though we’re far from home,” she said.

At Site Obi, Eid was more than just the end of fasting. It showed the strength of human connection. Even in an industrial setting, the warmth of togetherness was felt. That may be the true meaning of the holiday.