Suasana shalat ied di Masjid Istiqlal, Jakarta, Minggu (25/6/2017).
JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The Idul Fitri celebration at the end of the fasting month of Ramadhan is a moment to strengthen national unity by uniting all Indonesians in a compassionate relationship. Indonesia has its inherent noble values in line with values of religiosity and diversity.
This message was conveyed by senior cleric Quraish Shihab in his sermon after the Idul Fitri prayer at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on Sunday (25/6/2017). Attending the Idul Fitri prayer were President Joko Widodo, Vice President Jusuf Kalla and a number of ministers of the Working Cabinet. First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo and Second Lady Mufidah Kalla also joined the Idul Fitri prayer that was led by Imam Ahmad Husni Ismail at the mosque.
After the Idul Fitri prayer, the President and Vice President hosted an open house event at the State Palace. The President also received representatives of the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesian Ulema Council’s Fatwa (GNPF-MUI) at the palace.
State Secretary Pratikno said the meeting had taken place at GNPF-MUI’s request as coordinated by Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin.
Pratikno said there had been no specific discussion between the President and GNPF-MUI. “It was just a meeting, there was nothing special being discussed,” said Pratikno, who accompanied the President in the meeting.
GNPF-MUI chair Bachtiar Nasir said he had listened to the President’s explanations on various issues in the meeting, including on the government’s programs to boost the people’s economy. He said he viewed these programs positively, especially the land redistribution for the people.
Bachtiar and the other GNPF-MUI representatives used the meeting to convey certain messages on strengthening silaturahim (bonds of friendship) and communications with Muslims as well as on law enforcement.
After celebrating Idul Fitri in Jakarta on Sunday, the President went to Surakarta in Central Java, while the Vice President went to Makassar in South Sulawesi.
Upon arriving in Surakarta in 12:30 p.m., the President met with his mother Sujiatmi Notomihardjo for a sungkeman tradition, where one kneels before the elderly to ask for forgiveness. At around 3:45 p.m., the President visited a location for the distribution of staple food and necessities for locals at Surakarta’s Graha Sabha Buana building.
Diversity
In his sermon, Quraish, the founder of the Center of Koran Studies, said differences in mazhab (school of Islamic law), religion and politics should not be seen as a problem. The motto of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) that had been agreed upon as the national slogan was in line with Islamic teachings. “Diversity and differences are inevitabilities that Allah wishes upon all creatures, including mankind,” he said.
He also explained that Pancasila values were in line with Quranic teachings, including the observance that humans were born, they live and will one day be returned to the soil. Such awareness, Quraish said, should bring mankind to a better understanding of itself. The characteristics of soil was stable, not turbulent and was perfect for things to grow. Soil was needed by humans, animals and plants. Therefore, humans should be stable, consistent and helpful and reliable toward others.
Considering that humans were created by Allah from the soil, Quraish said that nationalism, patriotism and a love for the motherland were in their nature. A love for the motherland means that one fosters, reveals and sings praise of its beauty, improves upon its weaknesses and is willing to sacrifice for it.
For the motherland of Indonesia that spans from Sabang to Merauke, unity is a priceless blessing. The awareness of this unity forces everyone to sit together and deliberate. This is the meaning of Pancasila’s fourth principle, namely “Democracy Guided by the Inner Wisdom in the Unanimity Arising out of Deliberations amongst Representatives.”
Through the Idul Fitri celebration, Quraish said, everyone was reminded to be aware of the role the devil and its followers play in spreading slander and lies and instilling corrupted ideas to disrupt unity.
“Let us use Idul Fitri as a moment to foster and strengthen the bonds of unity, integrated with a compassionate relationship among ourselves as one people of one motherland,” Quraish said.
