Ramadan at SRMA 1 Aceh Besar: A Month of Togetherness

INFO TEMPO - A total of 100 students at Sekolah Rakyat Menengah Atas (SRMA) 1 Aceh Besar spent Ramadan engaged in various religious activities in a spirit of togetherness within the school dormitory environment. The boarding school, which serves children from underprivileged families, filled Ramadan with a range of activities from shared sahur, rotating kultum, to collective Tarawih prayers. These activities form part of spiritual guidance and also strengthen student bonds.

Since 04:00 WIB, students gathered in the dorm dining room for sahur before starting the fast. This atmosphere differs from ordinary days when they typically gather for breakfast before classes begin. ‘This is what we look forward to most during Ramadan. It feels like having a big family,’ said Nazar at SRMA 1 Aceh Besar, on Sunday, 8 March 2026.

Learning activities at school are also aligned with Ramadan atmosphere. Every morning before lessons, students take turns delivering a kultum (short sermon) in front of the class. The activity helps students practice public speaking. ‘I was nervous at first, but now I’m getting used to it. Ramadan makes us braver,’ said Abdul, a student who just first filled a kultum last week.

At 10:00 WIB, classes pause for Dhuha prayers in the school prayer hall. After that, students continue with Qur’an recitation (tadarus), while some rest at the dormitory.

Towards iftar time, students again gather in the dining hall for breaking the fast together. The iftar menu varies daily, including Acehnese traditional cakes and the main dishes prepared by the dormitory staff.

After Maghrib prayers, Qur’an recitation continues individually. Some students even aim to read one juz per day during Ramadan.

‘Thus happy to have many friends, to break and sahur together. At home we are apart, so we don’t feel this sense of togetherness. Here we also often recite the Qur’an; one juz per day. I am now at juz 14,’ said Hadi.

Ramadan activities concluded with communal Tarawih prayers in the school mosque after Isha prayers. After worship, students return to the dormitory to rest before waking early for sahur.

SRMA 1 Aceh Besar teacher Lena said the school had prepared a special Ramadan schedule to keep classes running while strengthening spiritual guidance. ‘We want students not only to fast but also to gain a sense of togetherness through activities such as breaking fast together, Qur’an recitation, and collective prayers,’ she said.

During Ramadan, life in the SRMA 1 Aceh Besar dormitory feels more vibrant with a blend of study, worship, and togetherness. The routine not only helps students observe fasting more meaningfully but also cultivates discipline, courage, and a spirit of camaraderie.’