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Editorial: Welcoming the good month
Barring any last-minute surprises, Ramadan begins tonight as scheduled
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arring any last-minute surprises, Ramadan begins tonight as scheduled. Indonesia, as a country with a majority Muslim population, welcomes the peace, the goodwill, the reprieve and the break from the routine that the fasting month always entails.
Beyond refraining from food and drink (and no sex too) between dawn and dusk, Ramadan also requires Muslim to show restraint, especially in not allowing their emotions to get the better of them. Something about going hungry and thirsty during the daytime supposedly helps people to exercise restraint and control emotions.
Meanwhile, the extra prayers said throughout the month, the reciting of the Koran, and the giving of alms to the poor, as encouraged, should also contribute to the peace and harmony and shared prosperity we have all come to associate with Ramadan.
As a nation, Indonesia has had its fair share of violence, conflicts and tension over the past year, so it is a relief to welcome Ramadan when for one month of the year we all put our differences and problems aside and concentrate on our religious obligations.
The act of fasting may be self-serving, but the impact, based on Indonesia’s experience of Ramadan in the past, is that on the whole society benefits. Traditionally, we have always seen more peace during the holy month.
The non-Muslim minority, an important part of the Indonesian population, also benefit from this period.
While some even join Muslims in the act of fasting, others will take part in celebrations that come at the end of Ramadan. Most others show tolerance and respect for Muslims in performing the rituals.
Ramadan seems to set ideals — the perfect picture of what Indonesia should be like. Indonesia is a nation that regards religion or its rituals as a very important part of life, but individuals are also encouraged to show great restraint and help one another and, in interfaith relations, to show mutual respect. Wouldn’t it be nice to have this all year round?
Inevitably, we have our share of hypocrites, probably lots of them.
These are those who pay lip service to the rituals of Ramadan, and who cannot wait to get back to their routine of thieving and scheming as soon as the month is over. If Indonesia continues to be beset by violent conflicts, political infighting, corruption and all the other ills we face today, it would be because many of have forgotten or have chosen to forget all the values and teachings Ramadan imparted on us during that one month of the year. Again, going by the Indonesian experience, we can be fairly sure nothing will really change once the fasting month is over. It will be like going back to normal.
Still, one month of peace and harmony is better than nothing. Who knows, some of us will actually learn something, and will change our ways for the better by upholding the values Ramadan imparts all through the year. It is also comforting to learn during Ramadan of what this nation can achieve, when we put our minds to it.
To all our Muslim sisters and brothers, we wish you a happy endeavor during Ramadan.
