The Palace and its Comedians, Sharing Funny Stories When Breaking the Fast Together

Breaking the fast together at the State Palace, Jakarta, uncovered the "comedians" at the Presidential Palace.

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President Joko Widodo accompanied by (from left to right) Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto attended a breaking of the fast event at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Thursday (28/3/2024).

The fun needs to continue to be added. This adds a meaning to the value of blessings, as conveyed by Gus Miftah Maulana Habiburrahman during a lecture before opening fasting together at State Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (28/3/2024).

Breaking fast together with President Joko Widodo, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, and ministers as well as heads of institutions and the Presidential Advisory Council this time is indeed special. This is not only because of the speeches that make the audience laugh while reflecting.

However, this moment is a first-time iftar or commonly known as bukber held in the Presidential Palace after the Covid-19 pandemic. The last bukber at the Palace was held on May 6, 2019.

Also read: When the President Again Bans Breaking the Fast Together

Back then, "bukber" (breaking the fast together) was held after the presidential and legislative elections on April 17, 2019. This time, "bukber" is also held after the presidential and legislative elections on February 14, 2024. The hope for reconciliation becomes stronger through this moment of togetherness.

KOMPAS/DEFRI WERDIONO

The caretaker of Pondok Pesantren Ora Aji, Sleman, KH Miftah Maulana Habiburrahman answered questions from the press during the National Webinar "The Ideal Figure of NU Leaders Approaching One Century" held by the Islamic University of Malang, in Malang, East Java, on Saturday (16/10/2021).

The thing that made the state officials laugh out loud this time was Gus Miftah Maulana Habiburrahman's way of speaking in explaining the blessings of Ramadan. Blessings, according to Gus Miftah—who is also the Caretaker of the Ora Aji Islamic Boarding School, Sleman, Yogyakarta,—contain three things related to added value.

Firstly, there is an increase in the value of goodness, both for Muslims and non-Muslims. Secondly, there is an increase in the value of love and affection. Thirdly, there is an increase in the value of happiness.

Also read: UIII and Indonesia's Efforts to Build an Islamic Rainbow in the World

Because there is this value of happiness, said Gus Miftah, religious people must be happy, enjoy, and relaxed. ”(This) Because religion comes as a solution, not a problem. "So when you create trouble in the name of religion, it is clearly not the teachings of the prophet, it is clearly not the teachings of the Koran," he said.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

President Joko Widodo shook hands with preacher Miftah Maulana Habiburrahman or Gus Miftah while breaking the fast together with the members of the Indonesia Maju Cabinet and Presidential Advisory Council at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Thursday (28/3/2024).

This joy is also needed in every aspect of life. Therefore, according to Gus Miftah, the average leader in Islam is a comedian or a funny person. Harun al-Rasyid, one of the leaders of the Abbasid dynasty who ruled around the end of the eighth century, is said to have had a very effective comedian named Abunawas.

Also read: Basiyo, from Palace to Cassette

President Soeharto often invited a comedian from Yogyakarta named Basiyo. Regarding President Jokowi, Gus Miftah believes that the former Governor of DKI Jakarta does not need to invite comedians.

”(This is) because (President Jokowi) already has ministers who are funnier than comedians. Bahlil (Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Investment), that's you know. "That's why, sometimes I suspect that Mr. Bahlil became a minister not because of his achievements, but because he was funny," joked Gus Miftah, greeted by laughter from the whole room.

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

A mural depicting the figure of the fourth President of the Republic of Indonesia, Abdurrahman Wahid, adorns a wall in one of the alleys in the Wijilan area, Yogyakarta city, DI Yogyakarta, on Monday (8/6/2023). Gus Dur's figure continues to be remembered for the valuable legacy he left behind for the life of the Indonesian nation.

I suspect that Mr Bahlil may not have become minister because of his achievements, but because he is funny.

Meanwhile, Gus Dur, the nickname of Indonesia's fourth President KH Abdurrahman Wahid, was said to have never invited comedians when he felt down. "This is because Gus Dur is funnier than comedians," added Gus Miftah.

Also read: Gus Dur, Humor and Democracy

He also recounted that Gus Dur always greeted with “assalamualaikum” when he started giving a sermon. However, when asked whether he always greeted that way because he felt like a devout Muslim, Gus Dur denied it.

”Oh, no, I say hello not because I am a devout Muslim. "I want to check the waves, whether anyone is coming or not," said Gus Miftah, imitating Gus Dur's joke-filled answer.

Gus Dur is known for his very witty but effective answers. "So, when people are funny by bullying other people, Gus Dur is able to bully himself," he added.

KOMPAS/ARBAIN RAMBEY

President Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) and First Lady Shinta Nuriyah attended the celebration of the Chinese New Year 2551 and Social Care of the Indonesian Confucian Council (Matakin) at Balai Sudirman, Jakarta, on Thursday (17/2/2000) evening.

Another story when Gus Dur had a meeting with the kiais and was monitored by intelligence was that Gus Dur remained calm. He even invited the kiais to have the meeting using Arabic. The intelligence then went home and reported to their superior, "It's safe, Commander. The kiais were only praying for each other," Gus Miftah joked.

Also read: Gus Dur, Unifying Art and Humor

According to Gus Miftah, officials should provide happiness to the people. Because, as the Prophet said, the best human being is the one who benefits the most.

The deed that Allah likes most is when someone gives happiness to others so that they are free from all problems. "So, this is our homework, that religion must make us happy," he added.

Not forgetting, he also reminded that harmony and unity must be maintained after Indonesia went through a long democratic process. Therefore, there is goodness for Indonesia.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin delivered a sermon during a Ramadan iftar event at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday (28/3/2024). President Joko Widodo, along with members of the Indonesia Maju Cabinet and the President's Advisory Council, were present at the event.

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin in his sermon at open together also reminded the audience to really fight this Ramadhan. The small war that is carried out when fasting is to resist hunger and thirst.

However, the greatest jihad is to control one's desires. "Those who are pious are those who can control their desires, who can master themselves," said Vice President Amin.

Also read: When Vice President Amin Interpreted Miniatures of Houses of Worship at Banquets in China

Therefore, the Indonesian nation is expected to exercise self-control. Moreover, after the election, the fasting month is hoped to bring wisdom and make everyone work together to improve themselves.

A pious person is a person who can control his desires, who can control himself.

KOMPAS/NINA SUSILO

Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia provided a statement to journalists following a breaking of the fast event at the State Palace in Jakarta on Thursday (28/3/2024) evening.

Bahlil, who was met after breaking the fast together, didn't bother being roasted by Gus Miftah. "Ah, that's it, just a joke, just a joke. "Gus Miftah, right, has been my friend for a long time," he said.

The camaraderie among members of the Indonesia Maju Cabinet was also established. For example, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani expressed gratitude for being able to perform breaking of fast together again at the palace, without masks, while listening to a sermon and followed by a communal prayer.

"The timing is also very special, as it is after the election. And, this is the last year for the cabinet. So, it is very meaningful for all of us," said Sri Mulyani.

National Police Chief General (Pol) Listyo Sigit Prabowo also assessed that after a series of democratic parties, now is the time to unite again.

Also read: NU and Muhammadiyah Invite Political Elites to Realize Peaceful Elections

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Forbidden words detected in the original article: None Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto (right) was discussing with the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpres) Wiranto (center) and member of Wantimpres, Gandi Sulistiyanto. They were present at the breaking of the fast event with President Joko Widodo, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin and members of the Indonesia Maju Cabinet at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Thursday (28/3/2024).

Ministers, such as Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, who is also the presidential candidate with the highest vote count in the 2024 election, also had a friendly chat with President Jokowi. Both of them sat around the same table.

Both of them are only separated by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto. In addition, there are also Vice President Ma'ruf Amin and Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Hadi Tjahjanto.

Also read: When Cabinet Solidarity Can Break Down...

However, several ministers, such as Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly, Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini, Minister of Manpower Ida Fauziyah, Minister of Villages, Disadvantaged Areas Development, and Transmigration Abdul Halim Iskandar, were absent.

Minister of Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya Bakar, Minister of National Development Planning/Bappenas, Suharso Monoarfa, and Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investment Coordinator, Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, were also absent.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

The atmosphere of breaking the fast together with President Joko Widodo and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin with members of the Indonesia Maju Cabinet and the President's Advisory Council at the State Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (28/3/2024).

Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reforms, Azwar Anas, stated that he does not know the reason for the absence. However, he ensured that the absence of several ministers is not related to political reasons.

Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Budi Arie Setiadi, also mentioned the absence was due to duties in the region or abroad. "That seems to be the case, let's not dramatize it," said Budi Arie.

Also read: Responding to the issue of the Minister resigning, the President confirms there are no problems in the Cabinet

Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin considers breaking the fast together as a reminder for him to immediately return to work as best as possible for the community. "Remember, the election is over so we can work again. And, more importantly, everyone is healthy," said Budi Gunadi.

Everyone is healthy and harmonious is important. Apart from, of course, maintaining the rule of law and democracy in this country.