Restoring Brotherhood

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

A group of Muslims arrive to break their fast on 17 May 2019 at the Central Java Grand Mosque in Semarang, Central Java. Religious activities are held in a variety of locations during the fasting month of Ramadan, such as public spaces, orphanages and workplaces.

Muslims will soon welcome Idul Fitri after a month of fasting and observing religious practices to earn complete forgiveness.

Fasting for the month of Ramadan does not only involve refraining from eating and drinking from dawn until sunset. More than that, Ramadan teaches restraint in saying bad things, lying, slandering, gossiping, showing off, getting angry and other bad habits. Fasting also teaches us to remember and empathize with the less fortunate by feeling the hunger and thirst they experience.

This is a time to share with the duafa (the poor) through zakat fitrah (annual obligatory alms) so all poor Muslims are able to celebrate Idul Fitri, and through zakat mal (voluntary donations) as a way to manage one’s assets and contribute to the equal distribution of wealth.

During this holy fasting month, we also experienced the riots on May 21 and 22 that disrupted the peace in several areas of Jakarta. At least eight people were reported killed, including teenagers and victims killed by gunshot wounds.

We must be bold in admitting that the presidential election – held simultaneously with the legislative election during the 2019 general election – has caused polarization in society. More than a few have said that the spirit of kinship and friendship has been torn asunder due to different electoral choices.

Nonetheless, the latest Kompas daily survey shows that most respondents say they are ready to restore the bonds of kinship and friendship that were stretched or even broken due to political choices.

We can restore the hope that people can mature when they are willing to accept differences to live together in peace.

Idul Fitri is a moment to reach out and accept that differences should not cause division. We can restore the hope that people can mature when they are willing to accept differences to live together in peace.

This willingness among some members of the public needs to expand and spread through society. Public leaders need to be encouraged and be given the space to build mutual trust, which starts from sincerity.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

A man reads the Quran after Friday prayers on 17 May 2019 at Istiqlal Mosque in Central Jakarta. The holy month of Ramadan is a time for fasting, praying and reading the Quran.

If mutual trust grows among the public, it will be easier to develop the social capital that is vital to strengthening the integrity of the nation.

In our society, which still adheres to the top-down approach, leaders from the national to community levels can be an example to accelerate the strengthening of social cohesion.

Even if there are differences in opinion, especially regarding the election results, these can be settled well, honestly and fairly through the appropriate institutions. Our common goal is that we are purified of all negative acts so that unity and harmony becomes our daily habit until the next fasting month of Ramadan.