Ramadhan Thoughts: Why Fasting???

• The most important consideration in undertaking a fast, as in any act of devotion, is to seek nearness to God, and seek His pleasure and Forgiveness. This itself generates a spirit of piety in man.
• Creating the conditions of hunger and thirst for oneself, simply in obedience to the Divine order, measures the faith of man in God and helps strengthen it by putting it to a severe test.
• Fasting enhances through creation of artificial non-availability, the value of the bounties of God which man often takes for granted. This inculcates in man a spirit of gratitude and consequent devotion to God. Nothing else can bring home to a man the worth of God's bounties than a glass of water and a square meal after a day long fast. This also reminds man that the real joy in enjoying God's bounties lies in moderation and restraint and not in over indulging.
• Fasting makes us deeply conscious of the pangs of hunger and discomfort suffered by the less fortunate among our brethren. They have to put up with difficult conditions all through their lives. It thus kindles in man a spirit of sacrifice leading to change towards his suffering brethren.
• Fasting gives man an unfailing training in endurance, a spirit of acceptance. This could well prepare him to put up with the unchangeable situations in life in the same spirit of resignation as cultivated during the fasts.
• Fasting develops courage, fortitude, and a fighting spirit in man to surmount the heavy odds in life with a cool and tranquil mind. It sharpens his power of concentration to overcome obstacles through a vigorous exercise all throughout the month, leading to a steeling of his will power and resolve, that could help him in challenging situations in life. It is seen than many an undesirable habit which is difficult to give up, is more easily given up during the days of fasting.
• Fasting teaches man reliance on God, and confidence in Him. Just as the vigorous state of fasting for a whole month is undertaken with His assistance, bitter situations in life could also be surmounted with His help.
• Fasting develops a spirit of patience in man, with the realization that the days of fasting, though seemingly unending, do have a successful and happy end. Thus is life. All bitter situations pass, and come to an end.
• Fasting is meant to conquer anger and develop self-control in man. The vigorous effort required to put up with hunger and thirst can well be extended to conquer other infirmities of human character that lead man into error and sin.
• Fasting inculcates a spirit of tolerance in man to face unpleasant conditions and situations without making his fellow beings the victim of his wrath. Many people, when facing discomfort and deprivation, become irritable and annoyed. This anger is then vented on those around them. Fasting helps a man become more tolerant despite his own discomfort.
• Fasting mellows a man and enhances his character, giving a jolt to the human instincts of pride, haughtiness, jealousy and ambition. Fasting softens his character, and clears his heart and mind of many negative emotions.
• Fasting exposes the weakness of man in the event of his being deprived of two basic bounties of God; food and drink. It infuses into him a spirit of weakness and submission, generating humility and prayer in an otherwise arrogant being.
• Fasting breathes the spirit of forgiveness in man towards others, as he seeks God's forgiveness through fasts and prayers.
• Fasting gives lessons in punctuality. Man has to adhere to a strict schedule of time in the observance of the fast.
• Fasting could affect the economy of the individual as he is less wasteful on food and meals.
• Fasting demands a rigid sense of discipline, mental, spiritual and physical. This forms characteristics which are an essential ingredient to success in life.
• Fasting creates spiritual reformation in man, infusing him with a spirit of enthusiasm and zest to change and become a better human being in the eyes of God. This is an excellent opportunity, given to believers each year, to change themselves and consequently their destinies.
• On the physical side, fasting cleanses the human system of the accumulated impurities of uninterrupted eating throughout the year. It prepares the body to face diseases or conditions of scarcity. The rigid abstinence of a fast regulates man's health, sharpens his intellect and enhances the qualities of his heart.

(Adapted from an article by Marhum Ahmed Sheriff Dewji, published in the Light Magazine)

Various Traditions Associated with Ramadhan and Lebaran:

Bedug Lebaran The traditional bedug drums are beat at maghrib to notify the faithful that it is time to break the fast. Starting on the evening of the last day of Ramadhan and continuing throughout the night and into the following day, the bedug are also beaten in the takbiran celebrations either in stationary locations, or in parades through the streets. Takbiran is the prayer and celebration heralding the Idul Fitri holiday. Loud and boisterous parades and celebrations are held throughout the entire nation, which includes drum beating accompanied by amplified prayer and lively Islamic music.

Bingkisan Lebaran Elaborately wrapped parcels are given by business colleagues or associates to Muslims in the week prior to Lebaran. They are usually arranged in a rattan or wood basket and contain food, small household appliances or dishes.

Ketupat Traditionally eaten at Lebaran, the rhomboid-shaped ketupat casing is made of young coconut frond leaves that are still light green in color. Intricately woven by nimble fingered experts who can complete the weaving in 10 seconds, they are sold to the public at pasar (traditional markets) in bunches. The ketupat are filled with uncooked rice then steamed and left to cool before serving. The coconut leaf casing gives a unique flavor to the rice, one always associated with Lebaran. The ketupat is cut open, removed from the casing and cut into small chunks, then served with various accompanying vegetable and meat dishes (opor and sambal goreng), often cooked in spicy coconut milk.

Korma Dates from Iraq, Tunisia, the US and Saudi Arabia make their annual appearance in markets and supermarkets for the breaking of the fast.

Mudik The term for the exodus of millions of people from the urban centers to the villages in order to celebrate the Idul Fitri holiday with family and friends in the village. In 2005 newspaper accounts estimated the movement of people around the archipelago at 16.9 million people! This is a strongly held tradition and travelers happily endure a lot of hardships and inconveniences in overcrowded cars, buses and trains with seasonally inflated prices.

Puasa Fasting

Sungkem The Javanese custom of asking for forgiveness at Idul Fitri which demonstrates the respect given by young people to the family elders. The young person kneels and bows their head to the elders' knees and asks for forgiveness.

Santunan Ramadhan Donations to a charitable organization for distribution to the poor and needy at Lebaran.

Sembayang or shalat Ritual prayers that must be made five times each day by Muslims.

Takbiran The prayer celebration on the evening of the last day of Ramadhan, to herald in the Idul Fitri holiday. Chants are praised to Allah, drums are beat endlessly, dances, songs, religious prayers and sermons are given in public displays of excitement and praise.

Zakat The obligatory poor tax that is paid by Muslims during the Lebaran period. Zakat should total 2.5% of one's income, depending on the nature of the gift. Zakat is paid to charitable organizations, neighborhood groups or through direct distribution to the poor and needy in the neighborhood. Zakat tax is deductible in Indonesia; the funds can be deducted from your gross income before figuring taxes.

God create you for a reason...


Before I felt it myself those words not special for me just a bunch of "quotes" that written on a book. But today I felt differently...
I dont have to mention what kind of action that I've done, but the point is sharing a simple little happiness to others, people around you and when u do it u see a little smile in their lip their eyes shining like a water in the glass that hit by the sun light , sparkling...their face show remarkable happiness. At some point suddenly u feel meaningfull, your existence in this world have a purpose/s.

Just take a minute to reflect what is ur purpose?

THURSDAY…

Old friends

Today my batch in high school planned to have gathering then break the fast together this afternoon . We gather in our high school, talking about my high school its called SMU 3. Its government school, it’s located in the center of town, Bandung West Java. The building was from the dutch colonial so yes it was a quite old building. But my high school is #1 in Bandung (well one thing I could be proud of it). The time came wohoowwwwww meeting old friends…although some of us still stay in Bandung but since most of us entering final year and some already work we didn’t have much time to gather like the old time. That afternoon like a flashback…old memories, moments…

Nana, Anggi and Rahma are with me after that we went to this Javanese restaurant and have more chat there…we ordered Javanese Noodle cooked in Javanese traditional way…and have different taste not like the common noodle. They cooked the noodle using , …what u called it the black bricks??? for the fire inside the stove. And there one of the famous hot drink…called “wedang ronde” its ginger and then for the balls made from flour and green bean inside its good if we have it when the weather is cold.

LK

SUNDAY…

After we have early breakfast I decide to go back home from the ORIMOT venue, I have to help my sister, I promised to her that will help her to open a stall in one of the event in my campus, my sister like to make accessories that’s why she wants to sell it. After whole day helping my sister then I went to Meenot house, there will be gathering for my high school mate from the 1^st grade. We cooked our own food. One of the good things is the boys do the shopping and then they also cooked the food, meanwhile for the girls just preparing the plates, and table and wash it afterward. Iftar, we hear adzan and we “attack” the food hehheh

Today menu’s from the Chef’s

-lamb satai by Naren-backed fish by Cobs
-The sauces by everybody hehehehe-Fruits soup by me and Isy, although I just brought the sprite and the ice but still

-Spinach by Meenot Mom
-Rice by Meenot Mom
-backed chicken by Andri

After having all that we pray together and then visited Anggi in her house its near to Meenot. Anggi is our classmate that already have 2 cute children. They just Amazing…its miracle…Boy and Girl. Im wondering in my age she already have 2 children and she plan to have it more...*_*

LK

Flash back…

SATURDAY, after having intense mentorship with my lecture, I promised to go with Aci, Kalyn, Nany and also Pandu to Orientation and Motivation training for the new member in the north yep no doubt cold weather and city light. After picking up them all we are heading to the venue. Wow when we arrive at the venue we are quite happy, out from 40 new members there just 4 people that cant make it is if I’m not mistaken. They have a HIGH SPIRIT, ENERGY, MOTIVATION, and EAGERNESS…they start to know and understand AIESEC deeper. I remember when I was a newie few years ago.Hey I’m also quite surprised that Audi came that night, Audi is one of my LC alumni. He is one of the success alumni from my LC, he will give session together with Akhmad and Ebin they are also alumni. The session will be about Leadership if I’m not mistaken. Since I arrived I didn’t sleep, having conversation with new members, old members and EB’s they just AMAZING...they become one of my inspirations and motivation to move forward and to reflect on my personal developmet also progress, where I am standing now…

I miss the elections, I miss the conferences, I miss the meetings, I miss the parties, I miss my AIESEC fellow all around the globe when the first time I join AIESEC I MIZZZZZ UUUU GUYSsssss

tya-motivated

MOON CAKE festival

Upsss I did it again!!! (its like Britney Spears song lyric*%?) I didnt update my blog...many people complaints about it since I promised to them I will post more stories...ok here we go...

In the middle of typing my thesis,,,my sister asked me to acompany her. My mind is stuck with the statistic that i've been try to solve during a whole day...Gosh!!! So Im thinking why NOt!...I went with her,,,we go to Ciwalk, its a shopping area but also lot of food stall and restaurants starts from european food until chinese cuisine umm yummyyyy.

When we arrived its a hell lot of people we just notice there was a celebration of MOON CAKE fest.
there is a big stage, chinese singer and all in red colour start from the singer dress, baloons, stalls, then the "star" the full moon is exactly above us I'm happy theres no one transform theirself become a wolf hehhe (kidding!!!). There also chinese fortune teller but to bad I didnt have chance to go to that stall :( Ok then me and my sister decide to join the crowd ...it’s not bad...suddenly I feel somthin different yeah I let my self and my mind to have a "break for a while". We take a look around visited stalls that sell souvenirs, food yeah food....its chinese food yummyy I just crazy about it...we ate a lot my sister and me one of the good thing instead of the good taste they also have 30%-50% discount for the price. I look for a chair and then I found one just infront of the stage...well its ok...suddenly after we sat the singer that was on the stage singing "Doraemon" song from the cartoon heheh it was funny I remember my childhood.

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