Anisa and the Story of Ramadan Tolerance at Kupang People's School

Ramadan has felt different for Anisa Saharia (16) this year. Having spent the previous year in a simple rented home in Oeteta Village, Sulamu District, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), this marks her first time observing the fasting month at Sekolah Rakyat (People’s School).

Anisa is the sole Muslim student at State Junior High School 19 Kupang. Nevertheless, being alone in her faith has not meant being excluded. Rather, this student has demonstrated remarkable tolerance and compassion from her peers.

This was evident in the initiative of several non-Muslim classmates who woke up early to rouse Anisa for sahur (pre-dawn meal) and keep her company whilst eating.

“Anisa, wake up, it’s time for sahur,” Anisa mimicked the voices of her friends who awakened her during the meal, according to a written statement on Monday (16 March 2026).

Anisa recounted that during Ramadan, she typically wakes between 3:00 and 3:30 WITA to eat sahur. Food for the pre-dawn meal is usually available in the dining hall or brought to the dormitory.

“Sometimes my friends are late waking me up. Other times, my friends also join me for sahur,” said Anisa.

“After that, I perform the dawn prayer,” she added.

To fill her time during Ramadan, Anisa was accompanied by one of her guardians whilst participating in activities outside school, including a short-term Islamic boarding school programme at another Kupang school.

There, Anisa learned many things, such as how to perform ritual prayer, how to recite supplications, and how to perform ablutions.

In addition, Anisa continued to participate in regular school learning activities and extracurricular programmes at Sekolah Rakyat as usual. Despite the heavy schedule whilst fasting, Anisa remained energised and enthusiastic.

Thanks to support from her classmates, Anisa experienced no difficulties whatsoever whilst fasting.

“I was able to fast because my friends supported me. They respected my fast,” said Anisa.

“They never ate in front of me, Sir,” she added.

Beyond sharing sahur with her non-Muslim classmates, Anisa occasionally joined others for iftar (breaking of the fast). A particularly memorable moment came when her classmates from the school council organised an iftar gathering for her.

The beauty of tolerance at Sekolah Rakyat was evident during this iftar meal, where Anisa had the opportunity to share stories of her Ramadan fasting experience and lead a prayer. There were no divisions—only togetherness.

“My friends encouraged me, saying ‘keep strong with your fast, Anisa,’” said Anisa.

Maria Cindayani Rosari Limun (25), one of the teachers at State Junior High School 19 Kupang, shared her account of how the tolerance shown by students made Anisa feel included.

“Anisa’s dormitory mates took the initiative. Some of the children do wake up earlier, so they took it upon themselves to wake Anisa for sahur,” said Maria.

Furthermore, Maria noted that during this Ramadan month, compared to her peers, Anisa was actually the most enthusiastic in participating in school activities.

“She still participates, and is even more enthusiastic. Her friends are very enthusiastic, and she joins in that enthusiasm,” said Maria.

“She participates in all co-curricular activities, lessons, and even extracurricular programmes,” she concluded.