Ramadan is an important month for Muslims around the world.
Not only is it a month of peace and restraint, it is also a month where people forge closer ties with family members over Ramadan rituals, including the essential moments of the fasting month: waking up for sahur (predawn meal) and having takjil (breaking-of-the fast snacks) and iftar (breaking-of-the-fast meal).
Needless to say, this year’s Ramadan feels quite different from before, a little bit challenging, with the coronavirus outbreak that has impacted the lives of so many, and has also restricted social interactions and movements due to large-scale social restrictions (PSBB).
Despite the constraints amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Indonesians can still observe Ramadan solemnly and wholeheartedly this year, carrying some hope that amid all the challenges and difficulties of the times, things will get better.
To support Indonesians in observing Ramadan joyfully this year, Indonesian superapp Gojek has launched its latest initiative called eBadah (a portmanteau of the Indonesian term ibadah [worship], with a prefix of e- or electronic).
This new initiative seeks to help customers perform their Ramadan rituals despite having to stay home (in compliance with the hashtag #dirumahaja (#stayathome) popularized by the government on the internet) throughout the month.
Users can explore how their Gojek app can help them take care of pretty much everything throughout the holy month. From preparing their predawn and breaking-the-fast meals, sharing food and drinks to show their gratitude, paying alms, socializing virtually with loved ones, tuning in to various fun activities while waiting to break-the-fast, participating in tausiah (informal sermon for spreading the message of Islam) – all these can be accessed more conveniently with the help of Gojek’s newly launched initiatives.
Here are some tips on how you can go through the daily Ramadan routine and focus on worshipping from the comforts of home:
Physical distancing does not mean that our hearts are not connected. Recognizing this, GoFood has a “location picker” feature that enables you to order food and have the food delivered by Gojek.
This allows you to demonstrate your love for loved ones even those located in different cities, whom you are restricted from meeting due to the large-scale lockdown policy. Since Ramadan is the month of spreading kindness, you can also use the feature to order and deliver food directly to those in need.
You can now order ready-to-cook food ingredients using the GoFood service. Also get your supplies of vegetables and fruits by buying them from Toko Tani (The Farmers’ Market) as well as many other modern shopping outlets by using GoFood.
You can share kindness by donating to help the underprivileged who are most economically impacted by the pandemic, such as workers in the informal sector, temporary workers, persons with disability, as well as the elderly. Moreover, you can show solidarity and show support to a cause from Anak Bangsa Bisa Foundation in collaboration with Indonesia’s popular rock band Slank, by donating through kitabisa.com/sumbangsuara.
Ramadan is the moment to maintain social bonds despite the applied physical distancing rule. Near or far, to express your gratitude to your loved ones, you can now transfer GoPay balance to anyone as long as they have the Gojek app. You can also help others easily through this peer-to-peer transfer feature.
You’re probably sad that you cannot return to your hometown and reunite with your extended family at this time. But you can still show them some love by sending gifts – comprising some of the best-loved Idul Fitri homemade cookies and beverages – to your loved ones using GoSend, which allows you to send to as far as Bandung, West Java. You can also donate care packages directly to the orphanages or others in need.
According to Gojek chief of corporate affairs Nila Marita, Gojek recognizes that Ramadan this year will feel different than years prior due to the constraints of the coronavirus outbreak; this is why Gojek is actively seeking ways to help its users, especially those observing the fasting month, to perform their domestic and social activities and obligations via the superapp’s services.
“We want our customers to conduct their activities maximally despite having to stay at home (#dirumahaja). This is why we have launched an array of features helping you conduct your activities more conveniently in this holy month of Ramadan under just one application,” Nila said.
Meanwhile, the Religious Affairs Ministry’s Islamic Society Guidance director general, Kamaruddin Amin, said he believed the various features launched with Gojek’s eBadah campaign would help Indonesian Muslims conduct all their Ramadan activities solemnly from home.
“All the features launched by Gojek are in line with the government’s advice, stated in the Religious Affairs Minister’s letter No. 6/2020 on Ramadan and Idul Fitri guidance amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” Kamaruddin stated.
