Ramadhan amid the crisis

One of the thickest books in Singapore is its code of law and punishments. Almost every activity in that country has its own set of regulations and is strictly monitored.

This runs counter to the situation in Indonesia, where regulations and penalties are only written on a piece of paper. Is it true that Indonesians in general know nothing about regulations or are not afraid of the punishments? They know but they pretend not to know it.

We have seen many people in this country act tyrannically, ignoring other people's interests. The worst part is that many of them do not recognize God's existence. The state's wealth has been plundered, funds for poor people have been embezzled.

Allah understands this attitude of pretending not to know something. Allah requires all men to fast to remind them of the essence of relations among human beings, between man and God, between man and environment.

Ramadhan reminds us of the existence of the Lord of the Universe. Those who are fasting would be ashamed to eat, even behind locked doors, because they know that Allah knows.

After undergoing severe discipline and training during Ramadhan, we are expected to work more seriously and honestly and change negative thinking into positive for the good of the nation.

Let us purify our soul, have healthy minds and always remember that Allah is watching and cannot be deceived.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta