From Mosques to Playing Fields, Ramadan Builds the Nation's Character
JAKARTA — Ramadan consistently presents two faces of development: that which is visible in concrete and steel, and that which grows slowly within the human heart. In two different cities, Bogor and Tanah Laut, the holy month becomes a stage to affirm one essential truth: the future is built not only with infrastructure, but also with character.
In the city of Bogor, the resonance echoes from the courtyard of Al Imam Mosque, within the campus of Al Hidayah Islamic Institute in Bogor. The Ramadan Fest 2026 was held not merely as an annual celebration, but as a space for the convergence of ideas about the direction of the city’s development.
Rozi Putra, a member of Commission IV of the Bogor City Regional House of Representatives, who attended the event, emphasised that development cannot stop at the physical level alone. According to him, the progress of a city must proceed hand in hand with the development of society’s character as a long-term foundation.
“The Ramadan Fest 2026 demonstrates that Bogor City’s development must proceed in balance between physical development and character development,” he stated.
For Rozi, religious activities and youth development programmes are investments in the future. A progressive city, he said, is not merely identified by grand roads and buildings, but by the integrity of its citizens. Strengthening faith, Islamic literacy, and social responsibility become the primary assets for producing resilient and principled generations.
As a legislator overseeing public welfare, he encouraged youth development programmes, the strengthening of educational institutions, and religious social activities to receive proportional attention in regional policy. Ramadan, according to him, is an opportunity to deepen collaboration between government, educational institutions, and society for more comprehensive development.
Meanwhile, hundreds of kilometres from Bogor, the atmosphere of Ramadan also thrives in a different rhythm, on the green field of the Hasan Basri Green Open Space in Tanah Laut Regency, South Kalimantan. The Tanah Laut Regency Government has made the Ramadan Soccer Festival a stage for developing young athletes whilst also serving as a mechanism for identifying promising football talent in the region.
A total of 45 teams from various districts participated. However, the tournament was designed as more than mere competition. The Regent of Tanah Laut, H Rahmat Trianto, emphasised that the discipline taught by Ramadan should also be reflected in play on the field.
“The meaning of Ramadan is discipline over desire. This discipline must also be applied in how we play,” he stated when opening the event.
He stressed the importance of sportsmanship as the basis of athlete development: respecting victory, honouring opponents, and enjoying the game with a spirit of mutual support. The tournament serves as an initial stage before a larger competition is held after Eid al-Fitr, namely the Regent’s Cup, with the hope that athletes will emerge who are able to represent Tanah Laut at the provincial sports competition level.