Moslems see this year's fasting month a challenge

JAKARTA (JP): Ramadhan is here. Moslems spend this holy month by abstaining from life's worldly temptations -- eating, drinking, smoking and sexual relations -- from dawn until dusk. It is a purification of body and soul.

But Ramadhan is different this year for several reasons. It began on the final day of a bleak 1997 for the nation, and many citizens are beginning to feel the squeeze of a battered economy.

The Jakarta Post talked to Moslems from all levels of society on what this month means to them.

Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, State Minister of Environment who took a commanding role in dealing with the problem of forest fires:

This year's fasting time is unique for me and family.

Never before have I performed my fast while at the same time having to handle a big and complicated problem which could affect the lives of millions of people. Never.

My family and I have been used to living modestly for a long time. And all this time, even without any extra burden for us in the normal years, fasting has been something quite important for us.

But as I say, this year's period is unique, especially when I see our country's current political, social and economic situation.

Now is the real trying time for us all. We must perform our religious duties more seriously now, more seriously than ever before.

Ramli, a well-known fashion designer:

It is good to fast, because our faith in God, among other significant things, is tested. In our lives, at work and home, we are challenged to deal with things without getting angry at workers, customers or relatives.

My grandmother and mother taught me from a very young age that fasting set the guidelines for building character.

For me, both tradition and belief becomes one. It started with tradition, and even as I ignored fasting in my teenage years, the realization came to me after the age of 20 that this was an act of my devotion toward God that had to be fulfilled, year after year.

Days during the holy month were very happy. Now that I think of it, it was amusing the ideas my mother came up with to get me to fast. She told me once that if I didn't fast, she would not reward me with clothes.

I invite friends and family to pray together. Or sometimes, they invite me to their houses for a breaking-of-the-fast gathering and then we leave for the mosque for tarawih evening prayers. I call on my close friends, customers and the group of Abang and None Jakarta (Mr and Miss Jakarta) since I have been their main designer for the last five years.

I understand that the condition of workers and their health will be affected since they don't eat and drink during the day. However, they still work after breaking their fast, waiting for their predawn sahur meal. They know their work will be well compensated.

During Ramadhan, the one thing that leaves a special impression is visiting my mother's grave in Cirebon, West Java. She died on the first day of the holy month and she was very lucky to pass away during the month.

She got me to go to religious school first and then to the usual school. After that, she would make me read the Koran.

Agus Susanto, a 40-year-old bicycle repairman:

This is the first time in my life that I am fasting. I have never fasted before because I was always sick.

I considered fasting after hearing a sermon by a preacher at a mosque who said that fasting is also good for one's health.

Following this sermon, I told myself that probably it was not fasting that caused my sickness. I want to see whether this is true. So far, I feel fine although rather hungry and thirsty.

Tuti Akbar, 45, owner of a grocery store in Depok and mother of four:

I have never broken my fast during Ramadhan since I was 14 years old.

I believe God is merciful and will give fortune to anybody who really concentrates on fasting. During the fasting month, my shop is full of buyers and the income I receive is more than other months.

Last year, I received total income of Rp 4.5 million, much more than in other months, which usually only reaches Rp 1.5 million.

But I think this year will be gloomy considering the economic recession that has struck our country. I don't want to predict how much I will get in 1998. I only hope that I won't lose much.

Amir Hermawan, 14, a shoe-shine boy:

Fasting is an obligation for me. If I don't fast, my parents will be angry and my mother won't give me any food at home. She has taught me a good lesson and I am thankful to her. (02/lnt/aan)