Celebrating Idul Fitri, Building Solidarity

KOMPAS/ADITYA PUTRA PERDANA

Muslims pray in congregation at the Astana Sultan Hadlirin Mosque or the Mantingan Mosque, in Mantingan Village, Tahunan District, Jepara Regency, Central Java, Tuesday (11/5/2021). The mosque, which was built in 1559, is an acculturation of Chinese, Javanese, Islamic, Hindu-Buddhist culture. The mosque is called the second oldest in Central Java after the Great Mosque of Demak.

This year, we celebrate Idul Fitri with a mixed feeling. We are happy because we have finished Ramadan, and we are concerned because the pandemic has not ended.

Idul Fitri falls on Thursday, May 13. Muslims are happy because they can complete their 30-day fast. The fast of refraining from material and spiritual lust is over. Usually, Idul Fitri is greeted happily with a cultural ritual known as mudik (exodus), when people travel to their hometowns, visit their parents’ houses and meet relatives. However, not this time.

Like last year, this year we have been strongly reminded not to go mudik in order to prevent an increase in the number of new Covid-19 infections.

Also read:

• Lebaran, Religious Reflection and Nationalism
• Fasting and Social Observance

We must learn from India, which in February was confident it could control the pandemic, but where in early March new cases spiked uncontrollably. One of the causes of the resurgence in Covid-19 infections was the holding of the Kumbh Mela religious ritual. People held the large gathering without keeping their distance.

It is not religious rituals that are the problem, but the gathering of people. Some people may contract Covid-19 with mild symptoms and even no symptoms at all. They don\'t realize it and they can infect large numbers of people at the religious gathering. After that, transmission will increase exponentially as in India.

Here we can test whether we have lived with restraint during the fasting month. Restraining lust is not only holding back hunger and thirst, but also the desire to go on mudik, if we know that the homecoming brings more harm than good. Many religious leaders agree that we should refrain from going on mudik.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

The travelers crowded the north coast route of Cirebon, West Java, in the Mundu area, Wednesday (12/5/2021). The queue of vehicles in the area was more than 200 meters. They forced themselves to mudik (going home), even though the government had prohibited them.

We are fortunate to be in the internet era. Digital technology makes it easy: cutting distance, space and time. We can hold gatherings online. We can still share with parents and relatives back home by sending money or goods online. For areas that do not have bank branches and ATMs, people can send money through branchless banking or online banking.

Idul Fitri is also an opportunity to share more. The funds set aside for mudik can be used as donations and alms for those in need. Many people have a difficult life and fall into poverty because of the pandemic. Government funds alone are not sufficient to help all of them. Donations and alms can foster solidarity. As religious people, it is part of our fasting obligation to share in the suffering of those who are less fortunate.

Also read:

• Fasting, Reaching Piety and Blessings
• Pandemic and Rejuvenating Month of Ramadhan

Idul Fitri is a time for us to build our hopes for an end to the pandemic through our efforts, starting from the top leaders to the common people, to discipline ourselves to adhere to health protocols and to get vaccinated

God said in Surah Al-Insyirah (comfort) Verses 5 and 6: "Because after all the difficulty there is ease Indeed, after the difficulty there is convenience”. However, Surat Ar-Rad Verse 11 promises, "God will not change the fate of a people unless they change it themselves".

This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.