Our Religiousness
Our Religiousness
Nearly a week has gone in the Ramadhan fasting month. Muslims
have been performing their religious obligations with great
enthusiasm. Mosques and other houses of prayer are full of
Muslims doing their tarawih non-obligatory evening prayer during
Ramadhan, and other prayers.
Hotels organize a fast-breaking celebration, followed by the
tarawih prayer. Television stations air special Ramadhan programs
with beautiful and handsome celebrities as anchors. Radio
stations do likewise. Religious discussions, particularly those
related to Ramadhan, are regularly held.
For several years now, Muslims have shown a greater interest
in religious things during the Ramadhan month, which is welcomed
like an honored guest.
At this point, it is quite appropriate to wonder whether these
intensified religious activities and prayers have improved the
behavior of our community. To build an Indonesia free from
corruption, collusion and nepotism, that is democratic, just and
prosperous, a basic change must be introduced to our behavior.
We must admit that our own behavior has thrown this country
into a protracted crisis. Our greed for power and material wealth
has led to corruption, plunder, bribery and dirty tricks to beat
our political foes.
As there is yet no sign that Indonesia is improving -- for
several years it has been one of the world's most corrupt
countries -- it is doubtful whether fasting during this Ramadhan
month will ever change our behavior or whether, while we can
fast, we can abstain from greed, avarice and envy.
If we cannot, then we must listen to what the Koran says.
"Then, misfortune be for those who perform their prayers but then
ignore ... " (QS 107: 4-5).
When drawing an analogy between fasting and prayer, we
suspect we forget the essence of fasting. We regard fasting only
as a formal rite empty of significance. We assume religious piety
only for personal benefit, not for communal benefit. We place
ritual piety above social piety.
If we truly wish to make Ramadhan a month filled with
blessings, fortune and forgiveness, we must change our religious
viewpoint. What counts in religious devotion is not its rite but
rather its significance, its soul and its spirit.
-- Republika, Jakarta