Cabinet Secretary: Islamic New Year a Momentum for Self-Reflection

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya has invited the public to make the turn of the Islamic New Year 1 Muharram 1448 Hijriah a momentum for self-reflection in order to become better individuals. “Let us make the turn of the Hijriah year a momentum for self-reflection to become better individuals,” said Teddy, as quoted from the Cabinet Secretariat’s Instagram account (@sekretariat.kabinet) in Jakarta on Tuesday. Teddy expressed hope that the Hijriah new year could be interpreted as an opportunity to introspect and improve oneself. He also conveyed greetings for the Islamic New Year 1 Muharram 1448 Hijriah to Muslims. The Cabinet Secretary also prayed that Allah SWT would always bestow blessings and peace upon the entire community. “Happy Islamic New Year 1 Muharram 1448 H. May Allah SWT always bestow blessings and peace upon us all,” he said. Meanwhile, Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar urged Muslims to make the Islamic New Year 1 Muharram 1448 Hijriah a momentum for personal and social transformation. “Hijrah is not merely the Prophet’s physical migration from Mecca to Medina. Hijrah is a transformation of the societal system, from a narrow and primordial tribal society towards a global, cosmopolitan community bound by compassion,” said Minister Nasaruddin Umar in Jakarta on Tuesday. The Minister stated that hijrah should not simply be interpreted as the physical migration of the Prophet Muhammad SAW from Mecca to Medina, but also as a change in perspective from a tribal mentality towards an inclusive, civilised life oriented towards the common good. The Minister explained there are fundamental differences between various forms of social communities. A tribe (kabilah) is built on blood relations, a clan (sya’abun) is based on extended family ties, a people (qawmun) is formed through social agreement and organisation, while a party (hizbun) refers to a political group or party. The Minister said that an ummah is a community united by four elements simultaneously: compassion, a forward-looking vision, authoritative leadership, and a courteous and obedient society, within a single leadership system called imamah. “If these four elements exist within one community, only then is it worthy of being called an ummah,” said Nasaruddin. The Minister called on Muslims to reflect on the current state of social life.