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Online platforms offer ways to spread Ramadan spirit from home
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Charity at your fingertips: Tokopedia users can spread happiness by donating online through the Fidyah, Zakat Fitrah, Wakaf, and Kotak Amal features. Zakat Maal transactions in Tokopedia during Ramadan 2020 doubled compared to Ramadan 2019, with users raising nearly Rp 80 billion in charitable donations. (Courtesy of Tokopedia)
I
n a time where technology is infused into every aspect of our lives, it comes as no surprise when most of our daily needs can be completed with just a few taps or clicks.
Even before COVID-19 forced us into our homes, many of us were already familiar with sitting patiently waiting for online purchases to arrive, be they a new dish for lunch or an impulsive addition to our wardrobe.
But as we enter our second Ramadan under strict restrictions, it is only natural for many of us start to missing the usual spirit of warmth and togetherness during this time of the year. But as we still grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, going online is a solution to many of our problems.
Alyssa, a 29-year-old private sector worker, told The Jakarta Post that while she was already an avid user of online services prior to being cooped up at home, the pandemic has made her inseparable from her phone apps.
“Honestly, I’m not a huge fan of going out in the first place, so I prefer to order things online. But with this year being the second time we’ve had to replace breaking-of-the-fast gatherings, most of my friends have come on board with the idea of having a group video call instead, with the food and activities already agreed to beforehand,” she said.
“That we’re applying health protocols is an added bonus, really.”
Said health protocols are of course mandatory for the entire country, as the government has applied strict regulations concerning many of the usual Ramadan activities, ranging from encouraging people to have iftar and sahur (predawn meal) at home to specifying the length or Ramadan sermons.
“Please pray while adhering to health protocols so that we can worship safely without being exposed to COVID-19,” Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said in a recent press conference.
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan appealed to Muslims in the capital to always wear masks and not force their way into a mosque if the capacity exceeds the limit. “After one year of the pandemic, there is certainly a desire to perform tarawih [evening Ramadan prayers] together at the mosque. Let’s not waste this blessed month by remaining disciplined in implementing health protocols,” he wrote on Instagram on Sunday.
Perhaps sensing the growing movement, Indonesian technology company Tokopedia recently announced its initiatives to create a more convenient and meaningful Ramadan-at-home moment.
External communications senior lead of Tokopedia, Ekhel Chandra Wijaya, said in a statement that even though this year’s Ramadan was still plagued by the pandemic, Tokopedia and its #SelaluAdaSelaluBisa initiative supports a safe but fun holy month.
1. Safer praying at home - Tokopedia users can activate reminder notifications for their daily prayers through the Jadwal Sholat and digital Quran features, with the latter equipped with a tafsir function and receiving tashih certification from the Religious Affairs Ministry.
“Since its launch, the monthly active users of Tokopedia’s Jadwal Sholat increased by nearly 12 times, while the monthly active users for the Digital Quran jumped by more than 35 times,” Ekhel noted.
2. Share through your fingertips - Along with prayers, users can also share the happiness by donating through the Fidyah, Zakat Fitrah, Wakaf and Kotak Amal features.
During Ramadan 2020, the total amount of transactions made through Zakat Maal in Tokopedia doubled from that in Ramadan 2019. Tokopedia users have also raised nearly Rp 80 billion ($5.45 million) through the Donasi, Zakat, and Qurban features through 2020.
3. Shop Ramadan essentials with free delivery - Shop for household needs sourced from local businesses while donating through the Home Living SALEbrations Ketupat (Kejutan Terus Berlipat - Always Multiplying Surprises) promotion until May 31. There are even opportunities to save up to Rp 200,000 with cashback promotions and Flash Sales starting from Rp 555 every Tuesday throughout April.
Tokopedia users are also eligible for the Bebas Ongkir Extra promo when buying products through TokoCabang, offering free delivery for any locations without quota and fee limits.
4. Sharia investments - Safely invest through Tokopedia Emas and Tokopedia Reksa Dana Syariah, starting at as low as Rp 5,000 and Rp 10,000, respectively. Both investment products are also sharia-compliant through Tokopedia’s collaboration with Pegadaian for its gold savings and Mandiri Manajemen Investasi for its mutual fund products.
5. Fun ways to pass the time at home - Discounts on game and streaming vouchers up to 50 percent await those looking for fun things to do online through Tokopedia’s Paket Selamat. On the Tokopedia app itself, users can play the Panen Telur (Egg Harvest) game to win attractive discounts as well as TokoPoints.
6. A sweet tooth’s delight to break-the-fast - “Takjil [breaking-of-the-fast snacks] transactions during Ramadan 2020 increased by nearly six times compared to Ramadan 2019,” Ekhel explained. This Ramadan, users can discover new menus or fall back on favorite treats through Tokopedia Nyam, along with cashback and flash sales to sweeten the deal.
7. Safe yet comfortable socializing - Along with sending Parsel Ramadan through Tokopedia, people can still meet each other virtually through video calls, which can be done even more frequently thanks to Tokopedia’s Paket Selamat campaign offering discounts of up to 50 percent on data plans for a safer and comfier Ramadan experience.
