Indonesian VP Says Ramadan is a Proving Ground for Muslims
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11 March 2024 21:34 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin affirmed that Ramadan, whose first day falls on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, is a proving ground for Muslims and is a medium of self-education to purify oneself.
"Physical and mental preparations should be done by every Muslim while welcoming Ramadan because they will fast and optimize their worship of the Almighty God. Mental preparation is done by purifying one's intention that our worship is solely to make ourselves a more pious person," Amin stated.
Presenting his remarks in a video on Monday, Amin highlighted three benefits of the fasting ritual that every able-bodied Muslim is obliged to follow.
The first benefit is spiritual, as Ramadan fasting will make Muslims acclimated to be patient and exercise restraint on their lust.
"This is important because every human feels lust, which can make a human do bad deeds. Fasting is an effective way to control it," the vice president stated.
The second benefit is to society, as Muslims are required to act in an orderly and disciplined manner as well as to treat each other equally without discriminating based on social status, he noted.
Amin also highlighted the Ramadan fasting benefits for physical health.
"(Ramadan fasting) requires us to be followed to cleanse our internal organs. Our hadith also stated that fasting makes us healthy," the vice president remarked.
Meanwhile, Amin said that Indonesian residents had exercised their voting rights during the general election in February while affirming that it was completely normal for political differences to arise in any election.
"However, we should not let the election or other reason cause the brotherhood among Muslims and among Indonesians to be fractured," he emphasized.
He also accentuated that Ramadan is the right momentum to improve interpersonal relations and strengthen Islamic unity among Muslims and brotherhood among nations and humankind.
"Let us pray to the Almighty God for the safety and progress of our beloved Indonesian nation, and let us welcome the holy month of Ramadan 1445 Hijri joyfully, with straight intention and faith," the vice president stated.
"May the Almighty God always bestow His help and blessing and make this year's Ramadan the best for all of us," Amin remarked.
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