Celebrating sacrifice<\/p>\n
It is called the Day of Sacrifice, or Idul Adha. For Muslims it
\nrepresents two monumental events: the culmination of the holy
\npilgrimage to Mecca, and the slaying of sacrificial animals,
\nusually a goat or cow, whose meat is then donated to the needy.<\/p>\n
According to Islamic scripture, Idul Adha commemorates the
\nProphet Abraham's obedience to God, who substituted a ram as a
\nlast minute dispensation from the intended sacrifice of Abraham's
\nson.<\/p>\n
People around the country, regardless of their religion,
\nrejoice at the coming of such religious commemorations mainly
\nbecause it means an extra day off work. Revel though they may at
\nthe prospect of a long weekend, the significance of the event
\nshould not be forgotten, even by the agnostics amongst us.<\/p>\n
While the commemoration may be considered Islamic -- a similar
\nversion of Abraham's sacrifice is also recounted in the Old
\nTestament -- its benevolent essence transcends religious
\ndivisions.<\/p>\n
The themes of divine reverence, personal sacrifice and caring
\nfor those less fortunate need no religious labels or even a
\ndeclared conviction for any particular faith. Compassion and
\nmoral ethics are not the exclusive realm of organized religion.
\nTheir characteristics are the core of any civilized society. In
\nother words, it's part of what makes us human.<\/p>\n
During this period of great sorrow for the Indonesian nation,
\nIdul Adha is a reminder for us to be continually compassionate
\ntowards others. To sacrifice a little of what we have to victims
\nof the bitter events in northern Sumatra.<\/p>\n
The sacrificing of animals can be viewed as a symbolic gesture
\nthat the desire to help is not dependent upon the size of our
\nwallets. Our energy and spirit in helping to organize donations,
\nor even our solemn thoughts to those in need, can be a helpful
\ntoken.<\/p>\n
Participation in the oversight of donations channeled to
\nvictims of disaster and calamity across the country is just as
\nmeaningful as the person who contributes Rp 100,000 to one of the
\nmany television charity drives so his or her name is scrolled
\nacross the screen.<\/p>\n
Any effort to materialize a greater good for the many usually
\nrequires long hours of work and dedication -- whether in social
\nwork, environmental activism or community service. This is where
\nthe spirit of sacrifice comes in.<\/p>\n
Idul Adha is also a further reminder to us to be appreciative
\nof life. Too many among us complain about the luxuries that we do
\nnot possess, or the comforts that we do not receive.<\/p>\n
Compared to the many victims of tragedies in Aceh and other
\nplaces across the country, our grievances are trivial.<\/p>\n
Most of us should count ourselves blessed that we can set our
\nown terms in when and how much we wish to sacrifice -- all of
\nwhich can be compensated with a little additional hard work.<\/p>\n
Compare that to the tsunami victims who were given no choice,
\nand had everything they cherished taken by a tidal wave. They
\nsacrificed much more than a few hours of time, or some extra
\nnumbers in their bank books. They sacrificed lives and
\nlivelihoods. An irreplaceable loss.<\/p>\n
During this Idul Adha long weekend, let us thus cherish what
\nwe have. Appreciate the simplest, yet dearest, things we have --
\nour health, our family and friends -- be thankful that we are not
\ncalled upon to make a sacrifice like Abraham, such as victims of
\nthe tsunami must feel.<\/p>\n
To the hundreds of thousands in Aceh and around the country
\nwho have already sacrificed so much because of various
\ncalamities, mere words cannot console their loss. It is hard to
\ngive thanks when a person has lost everything.<\/p>\n
Hopefully, brief respite can come from the knowledge that as
\npeople turn their minds to the divine this weekend, their hearts
\nwill also go out to victims of calamity.<\/p>\n
Let us turn Idul Adha and other religious events -- whether
\nIslamic, Christian, Hindu or Buddhist -- as moments to knit
\ntogether the many ethnicities and faiths to make Indonesia a more
\ncompassionate nation.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/celebrating-sacrifice-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}