A Decade of Fastabiqul Khairat: NasDem West Java Transforms Office into Child-Friendly and Inclusive Space
The Regional Leadership Council (DPW) of the NasDem Party in West Java concluded its tenth Fastabiqul Khairat programme at the DPW NasDem West Java office in Bandung on Saturday, 14 March. The series of activities, which commenced on 6 March, concluded with the distribution of competition prizes and the provision of welfare assistance for orphaned children. The decade-long programme demonstrates extraordinary growth in public participation year on year.
Mamat Rachmat, Chair of the DPW of the NasDem Party in West Java, explained that the original concept of the activity was purely to engage children in the vicinity of the DPW NasDem office at Cipaganti. The activity was initially designed as a venue for positive Ramadan evening gatherings (ngabuburit), featuring various competitions including Quranic recitation contests, adhan (call to prayer) competitions, Quranic memorisation, and general knowledge quizzes.
Over time, the programme has expanded significantly. At this year’s conclusion, it attracted 600 participants from six regencies and cities across West Java. The participants are specifically selected from children ranging from primary school through first-year secondary school level.
In light of the exceptional enthusiasm demonstrated, the DPW is targeting the future Fastabiqul Khairat to reach all 27 regencies and cities across West Java. The organisation is planning a tiered competition structure, with competitions conducted independently across one month in each region before culminating at provincial level at the NasDem Party DPW West Java office.
Saan Mustopa, Vice-Chair of the NasDem Party, revealed that he first conceived the event in June 2016, coinciding with his initial tenure as Chair of the NasDem Party DPW West Java. Saan envisioned a party office that possessed a comfortable atmosphere, welcoming to children, and functioning as a facility easily accessible to all sections of the community.
“I wanted to eliminate the perception of rigidity so that people would not hesitate to visit the party office. I subsequently utilised the holy month of Ramadan to organise an activity that could channel the hobbies of children, allow them to express ideas, and develop their competitive spirit, so that their fasting experience would not feel burdensome,” stated the Deputy Chair of the House of Representatives.