By: Rizky Anwar *
Ramadan is an annual momentum for Muslim communities that will always occur every year. Apart from other momentum that happened almost simultaneously as a party of democracy that has passed, Ramadan became a lively holy month. The fasting is not only satisfying physically, but also the heart and mind of lust and anger. Fasting can also be a month to reflect on yourself and open yourself to a more pluralistic community life. Political contestation has been held, and the task of the community as the owner of voting rights has been carried out. Today there are many more positive and quality activities that you and your community can do together. The following are positive activities during the Ramadan Month that can strengthen national unity:
1. Break Fasting Together
Breaking time is certainly a matter that is awaited by Muslims who are fasting. This opportunity to break the fast can be a momentum of openness and solidarity between religions that is easy and simple. The time to break the fast in Indonesia generally also approaches dinner time. There is nothing wrong with you inviting your friends who are other religions to join your fasting activities and your community.
They certainly will not reject the invitation. In general, those who do not fast will certainly not eat before the time you break to respect your fast. This kind of tolerance and openness is a concrete manifestation of diversity in Indonesia. Who knows, someday your non-Muslim friend will invite you to break your fast at his house. A beautiful picture of Indonesian unity.
2. Social Service
Another positive activity that you and the community can do is by doing social services. Such activities are usually in the form of visits and donations to social institutions. It would be better if you and the group can be more open with social institutions that are outside your scope. They certainly will be open to accepting your presence and friends. This event can also be an arena for introducing the diversity of your religion and culture to the community.
If you want to do all kinds of activities waiting for breaking the fast and breaking the fast together, they will also be happy to take part in the program you have prepared. This can also be a place to introduce diversity to your friends there, including the culture of breaking your fast and your community.
3. Interfaith discussions
One way to strengthen unity in the holy month of Ramadan is to hold interfaith discussions. No need to discuss sensitive topics such as politics and elections. Interfaith discussions certainly aim to examine and get positive input to respond to everyday events in the community. This is certainly more positive than debating things that are related to your daily life.
This kind of forum will naturally foster openness and solidarity between religions, which also become a pluralistic maturation of community life.
4. Ngabuburit Together
If you want activities that are more relaxed, ngabuburit before breaking the fast can be filled with various activities together with your friends who are not fasting. Many mild positive activities such as watching movies together, hunting photos, afternoon classes, or many other things that make time go by. Involving your friends who don’t fast to take care of consumption can also be the right choice, because they can taste the food that will be consumed when breaking the fast. You also have to understand that they are not fasting, so they have more energy to handle the activities that you will hold.
In the midst of the hustle and bustle of politics ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, of course it is not an excuse to ignore friends who are not believers and believers. Even though you live in a country with a majority population, that does not mean you must always be respected by minority groups. This pluralistic life is more appropriate if it is based on mutual respect. Those who do not fast respect who fast by not provoking lust and anger. Conversely, those who fast also respect the daily needs of non-fasting people. Thus, the Holy Month of Ramadan is not only a victory for Muslims, but also for the entire Indonesian community …
* The author is a Social Media Activist