Today is the second day of Eid Ul-Fitr celebration for me and most Moslems in Indonesia.
I stayed at home to rest for a while after yesterday spending the whole day from early morning until evening starting from the Eid Prayer at 7 a.m in a mosque not far away from my home, to my mother and elder relatives' homes.
Day before yesterday I went to a mosque near my old house in Bintaro to pay Zakat (English = alms), a ritual before Eid whereby we donate certain portion (2.5%) of our treasure to be distributed to poor people.
What really surprised me was that the traffic condition was not as empty as I have predicted, on the contrary many of the roads including toll roads were badly jammed especially in the afternoon. This is because people are going to their families, relatives, friends.
According to the news on TVs, recreational sites like the Ancol Beach resort, Ragunan Zoo and Taman Mini Indonesia were full of visitors like in previous years.
This morning I weigh myself on the the bathroom scale and saw that my weight is 5 kg.lower than before the Ramadhan fasting 30 days ago. That's quite good. I hope that I can lose more weight, but it would not be an easy thing to do because during Eid celebration there are lots of delicious food available at my home and at the homes of people that I will visit.It would not be easy to resist.
Showing posts with label Ramadhan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ramadhan. Show all posts
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
The Last Days of Ramadhan
It has been more than one week since I last up dated this blog.
There's only one reason for that i.e. my mind has been 100% focused on finishing a whole lot of works at the office.
Today, me and many others in Jakarta and vicinity start our long holidays in connection with the Eid Ul Fitr celebration at the end of August. As in previous years, millions of people have started to leave the city to celebrate in their hometowns.
Although most of the schools in Jakarta and vicinity have closed since last week for a long holiday until 5 September, but the traffic was still jammed, and many car accidents happened in the toll road. Maybe its because the weather was hot during those days.
Lots of things happened during my absence from the blogosphere, among others, bribery suspect Nazaruddin refused to talk to the Corruption Eradication Commission, and told President SBY that he is willing to go to jail as long as his wife and kids are not disturbed.
There was the plan of the state electricity company PLN to import Natural Gas, which is very weird because Indonesia is one of the largest exporter of Natural Gas in the world.
There was also the actions of the violent organization FPI that raided restaurants which opened during day time. Their latest action was forcing SCTV to stop showing the movie " ? " which they claimed to be against Islam.
Beside the above, the third week of Ramadhan has also effects on me i.e. I lose 4 kilogram of my body weight. I hope that I can lose more before Eid Ul Fitr which according to the Minister of Religion could be next Wednesday 31 August.
There's only one reason for that i.e. my mind has been 100% focused on finishing a whole lot of works at the office.
Today, me and many others in Jakarta and vicinity start our long holidays in connection with the Eid Ul Fitr celebration at the end of August. As in previous years, millions of people have started to leave the city to celebrate in their hometowns.
Although most of the schools in Jakarta and vicinity have closed since last week for a long holiday until 5 September, but the traffic was still jammed, and many car accidents happened in the toll road. Maybe its because the weather was hot during those days.
Lots of things happened during my absence from the blogosphere, among others, bribery suspect Nazaruddin refused to talk to the Corruption Eradication Commission, and told President SBY that he is willing to go to jail as long as his wife and kids are not disturbed.
There was the plan of the state electricity company PLN to import Natural Gas, which is very weird because Indonesia is one of the largest exporter of Natural Gas in the world.
There was also the actions of the violent organization FPI that raided restaurants which opened during day time. Their latest action was forcing SCTV to stop showing the movie " ? " which they claimed to be against Islam.
Beside the above, the third week of Ramadhan has also effects on me i.e. I lose 4 kilogram of my body weight. I hope that I can lose more before Eid Ul Fitr which according to the Minister of Religion could be next Wednesday 31 August.
Monday, August 15, 2011
The Second Week of Ramadhan
Yesterday afternoon I took my teenager son Virya and nephew Deza to break our fast at the Inul Vizta Karaoke at a mall in East Jakarta.
We arrived at the karaoke at 4pm and the kids were very happy because they thought they can spend two hours singing all the songs they like before we break our fast at Carrefour because all the restaurants there were full.
When we got there, a man told us that the karaoke is closed at daytime during Ramadhan, and will be open at 8.30 pm.
Due to this fact I asked the kids to go at the Fun World amusement center at the basement of the mall and wait for fast breaking at 5.57 pm.
One day before that, Saturday morning until afternoon, I attended a seminar about Stock Exchange at Wisma BNI, Central Jakarta, which was interesting for me who has not been active in the business after the prices of stocks that I bought dropped very sharply in 2008
On Friday afternoon, I went to the Intellectual Property Directorate General in Tanggerang, Banten province to meet some officials to check the status of some pending trademark applications. .
Then I broke my fast with some friends at the Supermall in Karawaci.
On Thursday I break my fast with old time friends, Herman and Henry, at the Bakerzin in Citos, South Jakarta.
Three days before that, Wednesday, Tuesday and Monday, were filled with routine activities. Meal at dawn, drove Virya to school in Pondok Indah then go my office. At 4.30 pm left the office and break the fast at home.
We arrived at the karaoke at 4pm and the kids were very happy because they thought they can spend two hours singing all the songs they like before we break our fast at Carrefour because all the restaurants there were full.
When we got there, a man told us that the karaoke is closed at daytime during Ramadhan, and will be open at 8.30 pm.
Due to this fact I asked the kids to go at the Fun World amusement center at the basement of the mall and wait for fast breaking at 5.57 pm.
One day before that, Saturday morning until afternoon, I attended a seminar about Stock Exchange at Wisma BNI, Central Jakarta, which was interesting for me who has not been active in the business after the prices of stocks that I bought dropped very sharply in 2008
On Friday afternoon, I went to the Intellectual Property Directorate General in Tanggerang, Banten province to meet some officials to check the status of some pending trademark applications. .
Then I broke my fast with some friends at the Supermall in Karawaci.
On Thursday I break my fast with old time friends, Herman and Henry, at the Bakerzin in Citos, South Jakarta.
Three days before that, Wednesday, Tuesday and Monday, were filled with routine activities. Meal at dawn, drove Virya to school in Pondok Indah then go my office. At 4.30 pm left the office and break the fast at home.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
The First Week of Ramadhan
Today is the 7th. Day in the month of Ramadhan, and thank God I have no problem whatsoever with Fasting, especially when it comes to not Eating and Drinking from Dawn to Dusk.
However, as I have mentioned on my earlier post regarding the same topic, Fasting during Ramadhan is not only about not Eating and Drinking during daylight, but also Thinking, Feeling and Doing Bad Things which includes the control of emotion, temper, words, desire etc.
Frankly speaking, at this stage I have not been 100% successful, perhaps only 75%, in my efforts to stop the non Eating and Drinking activities mentioned above, also the evening Ramadhan prayer which we called Tarawih in Indonesian.
There were several reasons for all that, such as too may works to do at the office, very ugly traffic condition especially in the afternoons whereby most people are trying to get home at almost the same time so that they can break the Fasting with their loved ones at home. There were times when those things almost tempted me to curse. Deep inside I must to admit that all those things were not excuse for me.
And then there were also the joint Fast breaking with colleagues at the office, and with friends, during which our discussions can go almost anywhere..
But I am glad that I still have 3 more weeks to improve myself during Ramdhan.
Have a great weekend with your loved ones.
However, as I have mentioned on my earlier post regarding the same topic, Fasting during Ramadhan is not only about not Eating and Drinking during daylight, but also Thinking, Feeling and Doing Bad Things which includes the control of emotion, temper, words, desire etc.
Frankly speaking, at this stage I have not been 100% successful, perhaps only 75%, in my efforts to stop the non Eating and Drinking activities mentioned above, also the evening Ramadhan prayer which we called Tarawih in Indonesian.
There were several reasons for all that, such as too may works to do at the office, very ugly traffic condition especially in the afternoons whereby most people are trying to get home at almost the same time so that they can break the Fasting with their loved ones at home. There were times when those things almost tempted me to curse. Deep inside I must to admit that all those things were not excuse for me.
And then there were also the joint Fast breaking with colleagues at the office, and with friends, during which our discussions can go almost anywhere..
But I am glad that I still have 3 more weeks to improve myself during Ramdhan.
Have a great weekend with your loved ones.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Ramadhan is Coming
According to the Public Calendar, the holy month of Ramadhan will start on Monday, 1st of August 2011.
This means that four days from now, Moslems in Indonesia and other parts of the world will start Fasting, therefore no eating, drinking, thinking, saying and doing bad things from dawn to dusk for 30 (thirty) days.
For me and my big family, this year's Ramadhan would be different from previous years, because we will not be having it with my father who passed away on 11 April.
In the past, I have never been a religiously devoted person, but this year I want to make efforts to be one, at least to be a better person than I used to be. Due to which fact there might be some changes in this blog.
To each and every one of you who will be Fasting on the Holy month of Ramadhan I would like to wish you all a happy Fasting.
This means that four days from now, Moslems in Indonesia and other parts of the world will start Fasting, therefore no eating, drinking, thinking, saying and doing bad things from dawn to dusk for 30 (thirty) days.
For me and my big family, this year's Ramadhan would be different from previous years, because we will not be having it with my father who passed away on 11 April.
In the past, I have never been a religiously devoted person, but this year I want to make efforts to be one, at least to be a better person than I used to be. Due to which fact there might be some changes in this blog.
To each and every one of you who will be Fasting on the Holy month of Ramadhan I would like to wish you all a happy Fasting.
Monday, September 6, 2010
My Ramadhan Evaluation
Three weeks have passed since the holy month of Ramadhan began on 11 August 2010, and during that time Muslims around the world have fasted every day from dawn to dusk.
Beside not eating and drinking fasting people should control their emotion, sexual desires and always be wise in whatever they say and do. Beside that, certain percentage of our annual income should be contributed to help poor people.
In Indonesia, this holy month has been marred by the sea border incident between Indonesia and Malaysia that led to anti-Malaysia protests by group of people claiming to be defender of sovereignty using vulgar and irrational methods, which are absolutely against the spirit of Ramadhan, e.g throwing human feces to the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta and demanding for war.
But thank goodness, religious groups who used to love violence seemed to be rather calm this time.
Further, there were protests against corruption related matters, like President SBY's granting of remission to corruption criminals including the father-in-law of SBY's eldest son, and the announcement of Corruption Erradication Commission (KPK) about politicians who were named as suspects in Bribery case.
Besides, there was the bloody clash between citizens and the Police at the town of Buol, Central Sulawesi Province, caused by the mysterious death of a Police detainee.
Furthermore, there were the natural disasters i.e. eruption of Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra, and the heavy rain falls that inundated many places, including parts of Jakarta.
On the personal front, although I always fast i.e. not eat and drink everyday, however I have not been so successful in fulfilling my other Ramadhan obligations e.g controlling emotions, words and acts.
The difference is that every time I did it, I immediately aware of my mistake and therefore able to apologize to people who I thought might have been hurt by what I have said and done.
Now that we still have three more days of Ramadhan, before Eid Ul Fitr on 10 September, and starting today I am taking my Hari Raya Lebaran holidays until 14 September, I hope that I would be able to improve the quality of my fasting.
Beside not eating and drinking fasting people should control their emotion, sexual desires and always be wise in whatever they say and do. Beside that, certain percentage of our annual income should be contributed to help poor people.
In Indonesia, this holy month has been marred by the sea border incident between Indonesia and Malaysia that led to anti-Malaysia protests by group of people claiming to be defender of sovereignty using vulgar and irrational methods, which are absolutely against the spirit of Ramadhan, e.g throwing human feces to the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta and demanding for war.
But thank goodness, religious groups who used to love violence seemed to be rather calm this time.
Further, there were protests against corruption related matters, like President SBY's granting of remission to corruption criminals including the father-in-law of SBY's eldest son, and the announcement of Corruption Erradication Commission (KPK) about politicians who were named as suspects in Bribery case.
Besides, there was the bloody clash between citizens and the Police at the town of Buol, Central Sulawesi Province, caused by the mysterious death of a Police detainee.
Furthermore, there were the natural disasters i.e. eruption of Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra, and the heavy rain falls that inundated many places, including parts of Jakarta.
On the personal front, although I always fast i.e. not eat and drink everyday, however I have not been so successful in fulfilling my other Ramadhan obligations e.g controlling emotions, words and acts.
The difference is that every time I did it, I immediately aware of my mistake and therefore able to apologize to people who I thought might have been hurt by what I have said and done.
Now that we still have three more days of Ramadhan, before Eid Ul Fitr on 10 September, and starting today I am taking my Hari Raya Lebaran holidays until 14 September, I hope that I would be able to improve the quality of my fasting.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Thank God It's Ramadhan
On 11 August, Moslems around the world will enter the month of Ramadhan, during which we will Fast i.e. refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, sexual activity, getting angry, lying, using bad language, be more diligent in prayer and give charities.
The Fast begins after we have taken Sahur meal very early in the morning (Imsak), and broken at sunset (Magrib) by taking Iftar meal.
Those who fast includes Adults and mentally sane people. And those who may not fast are : children, women having their period, travelers, the sick, those with long-term illnesses, pregnant or breastfeeding women and the mentally ill.
The breaking of the Fast (Iftar) is a social occasion for which special foods are prepared for gatherings with family or friends. Upon hearing the call to prayer (Azan) from the mosque or radio or TV at sunset, the faithful know it's time to break their fast (buka puasa). This is usually done with a drink and snacks. Magrib prayer is made before a full meal is served. Afterwards, we have Taraweh prayer at the mosques or at gatherings every evening at about 7:30 p.m.
The schedule for Imsak and Maghrib is available in major newspapers, on the radio and on the television throughout Indonesia, as well as published in handouts by major religious organizations.
The Fast begins after we have taken Sahur meal very early in the morning (Imsak), and broken at sunset (Magrib) by taking Iftar meal.
Those who fast includes Adults and mentally sane people. And those who may not fast are : children, women having their period, travelers, the sick, those with long-term illnesses, pregnant or breastfeeding women and the mentally ill.
The breaking of the Fast (Iftar) is a social occasion for which special foods are prepared for gatherings with family or friends. Upon hearing the call to prayer (Azan) from the mosque or radio or TV at sunset, the faithful know it's time to break their fast (buka puasa). This is usually done with a drink and snacks. Magrib prayer is made before a full meal is served. Afterwards, we have Taraweh prayer at the mosques or at gatherings every evening at about 7:30 p.m.
The schedule for Imsak and Maghrib is available in major newspapers, on the radio and on the television throughout Indonesia, as well as published in handouts by major religious organizations.
Why does Islam oblige its followers to fast during Ramadhan?
- To develop compassion for the poor and needy who feel hungry every day.
- As a spiritually and physically cleansing experience. Fasting is seen as an opportunity to separate ourself from the things of this world and to concentrate on our relationship with God.
- To become closer to God by contemplating His will in our life.
- To build self-discipline and to become a better person.
Monday, July 19, 2010
No Curfew During Ramadhan
On the second week of August, Moslems all over the world will start Fasting in the month of Ramadhan.
Last Saturday, Chairman of Moslem organization Nahdatul Ulama (NU) told members not to conduct any Curfew on entertainment places all over Indonesia during the Fasting month of Ramadhan which will start on the second week of August.
Considering that N.U is the largest Moslem organization in Indonesia, I hope that other Moslem organization here would also follow.this step.
Please find below an news article about this that I have quoted from The Jakarta Globe.
The chief of Nahdlatul Ulama organization, or NU, has called on its members not to conduct sweepings on entertainment venues throughout Indonesia ahead of the Islamic fasting month.
“To keep the situation conducive during the fasting month NU members are called upon not to conduct violence or take the law into their own hands because sweeps or order operations on entertainment venues can only be carried out by the police or other law enforcement agencies,”
NU’s general chairman Said Aqil Siradj said at the commemoration of the 87th anniversary of NU on Saturday.
“NU is an organization that is based on four pillars, namely the unitary state of Indonesia, the 1945 Constitution, the Bhineka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) principles and Pancasila (the five-principle state ideology),” he said.
“If law enforcement agencies are weak we must encourage and support them,” he said.
He said NU members must follow the teachings of Prophet Mohammad when he established the state of Madinah. “The concept he used is not for establishing an Islamic state or an Arab state but a civilized state,” he said.
He said people could understand the concept by emulating his respect for other religions and promoting equality and consistency in enforcing the law against Muslims or non-Muslims.
“If we insist on conducting sweeps it means we are building a state within a state because we make our own rules,” he said.
In view of that he called on all people in the country to participate actively in realizing the four pillars and avoiding violence which has often occured in various parts in the country.
“Right now violence often happens during local elections and distribution of cash handouts to the poor. Some have even died during distribution of alms. This is very concerning and should never happen again,” he said.
Last Saturday, Chairman of Moslem organization Nahdatul Ulama (NU) told members not to conduct any Curfew on entertainment places all over Indonesia during the Fasting month of Ramadhan which will start on the second week of August.
Considering that N.U is the largest Moslem organization in Indonesia, I hope that other Moslem organization here would also follow.this step.
Please find below an news article about this that I have quoted from The Jakarta Globe.
Said Aqil Siradj, right, praying with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in this file photo, has called upon members of the Nahdlatul Ulama not to conduct sweepings of entertainment venues before the fasting month of Ramadhan. (Antara Photo/Widodo S. Jusuf)
NU Prohibits Members From Conducting Sweeps on Indonesian Entertainment Venues
The chief of Nahdlatul Ulama organization, or NU, has called on its members not to conduct sweepings on entertainment venues throughout Indonesia ahead of the Islamic fasting month.
“To keep the situation conducive during the fasting month NU members are called upon not to conduct violence or take the law into their own hands because sweeps or order operations on entertainment venues can only be carried out by the police or other law enforcement agencies,”
NU’s general chairman Said Aqil Siradj said at the commemoration of the 87th anniversary of NU on Saturday.
“NU is an organization that is based on four pillars, namely the unitary state of Indonesia, the 1945 Constitution, the Bhineka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) principles and Pancasila (the five-principle state ideology),” he said.
“If law enforcement agencies are weak we must encourage and support them,” he said.
He said NU members must follow the teachings of Prophet Mohammad when he established the state of Madinah. “The concept he used is not for establishing an Islamic state or an Arab state but a civilized state,” he said.
He said people could understand the concept by emulating his respect for other religions and promoting equality and consistency in enforcing the law against Muslims or non-Muslims.
“If we insist on conducting sweeps it means we are building a state within a state because we make our own rules,” he said.
In view of that he called on all people in the country to participate actively in realizing the four pillars and avoiding violence which has often occured in various parts in the country.
“Right now violence often happens during local elections and distribution of cash handouts to the poor. Some have even died during distribution of alms. This is very concerning and should never happen again,” he said.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Thank God it's Ramadhan
The holy month of Ramadhan always brings happiness for me, whereby I would be fasting from dawn to dusk every day for one full month, refrain myself from eating & drinking during fasting; and avoid thinking, feeling, doing, saying bad things. As a result, I can expect that after Ramadhan I would be healthier because of regular eating & drinking, slimmer and more wiser. Last night, the Minister of Religion Maftuh Basyuni has announced that this year’s fasting month of Ramadhan will start tomorrow, Saturday, 22 August 2009.
But this year's Ramadhan is quite different from the past, whereby two largest Muslim organizations in Indonesia i.e. Nadhatul Ulama & Muhammadiyah, tend to be different in starting the Ramadan, this time they both have finally agreed to start on the same day. Beside both of them, there are 3 smaller organizations which have also agreed on the date i.e. Dewan Dakwah Islamiyah Indonesia, Al Irsyad and Persatuan Islam.
Further, there are other developments which are very good for Indonesia i.e signs of reconsiliation among Indonesian leaders which is shown by the congratulations given by the losing candidates of the presidential election i.e Jusuf Kalla/Wiranto, and Megawati/Prabowo, to the winner i.e. incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono and his running mate Boediono.
For details on the above, please click here, here and here.
Considering the above, I hope that this year's Ramadhan will strongly motivate the Indonesian Muslims to be more broad minded, have more respect on other people, think more positive and work much hard together, so that every problems can be solved much easier & faster. That way the development of Indonesia can be carried out a lot much faster.
Marhaban ya Ramadhan, Welcome Ramadhan.
Photo: Courtesy of Noorhadi Saleh/Foto Kita
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