Minister Calls for 1 Muharram to Mark a 'Hijrah' Towards Self-Improvement and Social Unity

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar has urged the Muslim community not to merely view the Islamic New Year/1 Muharram 1448 Hijriah as a simple calendar change, but rather as a momentum to implement behavioural changes towards a better direction.

“The spirit of hijrah must be realised through concrete actions that bring benefits to the wider community. Hijrah is not merely a movement from one point to another, but a spiritual and social transformation towards a better self,” the Minister stated in a briefing in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The Minister noted that the spirit of hijrah should be reflected in caring for others, protecting the environment, and a commitment to always bring public welfare to society.

According to him, the essence of religion is to spread compassion, not hostility. He reminded the public that religious narratives should not be misused to divide the nation.

“If we want to measure whether we are truly religious, look at how much love we have for our fellow human beings. If someone speaks about religion but spreads hatred, then they are actually distancing themselves from the very substance of religious teachings,” said the Minister.

In addition to personal reflection, the Minister also called for a restructuring of the role of mosques in the modern era. Referring to the history of the establishment of the Hijri calendar during the era of Caliph Umar bin Khattab, the momentum of the Prophet Muhammad’s hijrah marked the beginning of the construction of a new civilisation. During that period, mosques functioned multisectionally.

He stated that mosques should not be passive or merely places for ritual worship, but must live as centres for education, deliberation, and community economic empowerment.

“Mosques must continue to be centres of civilisation that bring benefits to the Ummah and strengthen unity and social concern,” he concluded.