Ramadan in Indonesia

If there’s no sudden change of schedule during this week time, it’d be my first Ramadan (spelled in Bahasa either Ramadhan or Ramadlan) in Indonesia after so long time doing adventurous brouhaha in India during which I hadn’t returned home even once. Strangely during that “meditation time” I occasionally got time to met alll my sisters neither in Indonesia nor India. It’s in Saudi Arabia, instead.

So, now once again I have a look and feel of conditions preceding the month of fasting for Muslims which are typically Indonesia: price hike of certain commodities, controversies surrounding the start and the end of Ramadan all of which are unknown outside Indonesia which means that the fast of Ramadan has a lot of meaning to Indonesian Muslims.

For the benefit of non-Muslim who might never heard of or hardly understand this term and its significant to Muslims, here’s some meaning and definition of Ramadan:

Muslims are prohibited from eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in sexual intercourse between a husband and his wife from dawn (fajr) to sunset (maghrib). One of the principal aims of fasting is to sympathise with those less fortunate ones who do not always have food and drink readily available. Also one must try to avoid cursing and thinking evil thoughts. Fasting is also viewed as a means of controlling one’s desires (of hunger, thirst, sexuality, anger) and focusing more on devoting oneself to God.

During this month of Ramadan besides observing fast mentioned above, Muslims are also expected to do the followings:

During Ramadan, Muslims are also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam as well as refraining from anger, envy, greed, lust, sarcastic retorts, backstabbing, and gossip. They are encouraged to read the Qur’an. Sexual intercourse during fasting in the day is not allowed but is permissible after the fast (when referring to sexual intercourse, it is intended to mean with one’s spouse alone, as all pre- and extra-marital relations are strictly forbidden in Islam). Obscene and irreligious sights and sounds are to be avoided. Purity of both thought and action is important. The fast is intended to be an exacting act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of closeness to God. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm. Properly observing the fast is supposed to induce a comfortable feeling of peace and calm. It also allows Muslims to practice self-discipline, sacrifice, as well as sympathy for those who are less fortunate, intending to make Muslims more generous and charitable.

In addition to fasting, Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Qur’an.

Despite month of Ramadan is regarded as a holy month, some people of prominent are trying to make it political by creating unnecessary controversies. This is especially true in Indonesia, particularly between two largest Muslim organisations such as Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah. The differences largely concerning how to decide when the Ramadan should start and end. 

The “capablity” of Muslims to make a big differences out of small issue, like that of Ramadan starting day etc, actually symbolizes the larger issue the Muslims are facing: their potent incapability to see everything in a larger picture, that is to prioritize in the essence to make Muslims united in developing Indonesia. Muslims constitute the majority in Indonesia meaning this country will never progress economically as well as socially unless and untill the Muslims are matured and well-behaved in dealing with big and small issues both concerning their internal differences as well as in dealing with their brethren from other faiths.

Putting too much emphasis on unsubstantiial and insignificant issues only indicates our short-mindedness and short understanding of the spirit of Islam as the blessing for mankind (QS 21:102); and that respect for others within and without the community is part of important teaching of Islam (QS 49:13 and 2:256).

Muslims will grow up if (a) the leaders stop trying to politicize everything for their personal or organisational interest and or (b) Muslims get more independent mind and understanding; this will only be achieved if they are more educated something the Mulims leaders need to work out. No less important, Muslim should show their magnanimity in dealing with minority community.  We are all Indonesia after all.

Speaking of Ramadan, so when does Ramadan 2007 start? It’s either Wednesday (12/09/2007) or Thursday (13/09/07).

Anyway, wishing you all Muslims Happy Ramadan. Selamat menunaikan ibadah puasa Ramadhan bagi seluruh umat Islam di Tanah Air dan di manapun berada.