Ramadhan in retrospect
Ramadhan in retrospect
With the setting of the last Ramadhan sun today comes the end
of the fasting month, when Moslems had to subdue inner storms of
biological and emotional demands while practicing virtues of
patience and social solidarity.
Many Moslems spent the last month gathering at mosques in the
evenings to take part in special prayer services and to glorify
the name of Allah. Tomorrow marks the first day of Idul Fitri and
a time for those who have successfully passed the month-long
trial to rejoice.
The way in which Moslems perform their religious duties has
changed with political and social conditions. The first editorial
about Ramadhan in this column, in 1983, spoke about the Jakarta
military command's promise to not censor sermons delivered by
preachers at Idul Fitri services.
The relationship between Moslems and the state was then marked
by conflict and suspicion. But since 1990, the situation has
improved significantly. Now we see a greater spirit of
religiosity, and more members of the ruling elite speaking about
Islam and attending tarawih evening prayer services.
Ramadhan this year has seen more ceremonies held to break the
day's fast, more religious TV talk shows and more public figures
speaking on Islam -- all of which move our nation toward the full
blessing of the Almighty.
However, we will fall short of our spiritual aims if the same
values are not applied to daily life.
This year's Ramadhan was a month full of tragedies. Some 338
people were killed in the Gurita ferry disaster off the coast of
Banda Aceh just before the beginning of Ramadhan, floods have
killed dozens of people in Jakarta and Riau, a plane killed 15 in
Bandung and at least 10 people were killed in Saturday's
earthquake in Irian Jaya. Much of this, according to a number of
influential scholars including Amien Rais, could have been
prevented if people led a healthier religious life.
Such an explanation, however plausible, absolves a number of
irresponsible officials who ultimately should be held
accountable.
Numerous cases of corruption were revealed this holy month.
The Supreme Audit Agency reported that several ministries have
not followed up or acted on the agency's investigations into the
state-owned companies under their supervision. Tens of billions
of rupiah remain unaccounted for. The revelations bolster the
findings of certain international organizations, which have
labeled Indonesia the most corrupt country in the world.
How could this have happened to a nation of 190 million
religious believers? Ramadhan is not just a month of ceremonies
and services. It has a deeper meaning and importance for those
who care to learn. And only those who have practiced what they've
preached can actually rejoice tomorrow.