{"id":8556,"date":"2024-03-19T10:14:23","date_gmt":"2024-03-19T02:14:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/connect.muslimpro.com\/?p=8556"},"modified":"2024-03-20T14:16:11","modified_gmt":"2024-03-20T06:16:11","slug":"celebrating-ramadan-in-indonesia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/connect.muslimpro.com\/2024\/03\/celebrating-ramadan-in-indonesia\/","title":{"rendered":"Ramadan Around The World: Celebrating Ramadan in Indonesia"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Ramadan<\/a>, also known as the holy month full of blessings, holds significant meaning for Muslims worldwide. In various cultures and countries, there are diverse celebrations of Ramadan<\/a> with unique traditions and practices reflecting local customs.<\/span><\/p>\n In Indonesia \u2013 the country with the largest Muslim population in the world \u2013 Ramadan is welcomed and celebrated with great enthusiasm. The combination of Islamic rituals with the cultural heritage of the archipelago, makes Ramadan celebrations in Indonesia unique and captivating. <\/span><\/p>\n Let’s explore the rich traditions and cultural aspects of Indonesia in celebrating Ramadan!<\/span><\/p>\n In Indonesia, unlike most countries, anticipation for Ramadan begins weeks in advance. In villages and suburban areas, communities engage in massive preparations for Ramadan, not only in their own homes but also in the neighborhood. This includes cleaning houses and mosques, decorating their homes with colorful lights and banners. Traditional markets are bustling with Ramadan preparation activities. People are busy shopping for food items and other necessities. A week or so before Ramadan, public cemeteries are filled with people paying respects to the departed.<\/span><\/p>\n Ramadan in Indonesia is also closely associated with togetherness and community. Communal culture is manifested through activities such as breaking the fast (iftar) together, often referred to as “bukber” (buka bersama). These bukber gatherings are commonly held among friends, families, residential communities, and also public in mosques.<\/span><\/p>\n Bukber gatherings often serve as a reunion for those who haven’t met in a long time. Bukber during Ramadan has become a highly anticipated special moment and people usually make time to attend these bukber events. It’s not just about breaking the fast and eating together; the desire to foster closer relationships<\/a> is a primary reason for attending bukber gatherings.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Another special aspect of bukber gatherings is the act of sharing. It’s common in Indonesia to organize buka bersama<\/em> events with the less fortunate. These bukber gatherings are often held in orphanages, nursing homes, shelters, and mosques. Along with breaking the fast with the less fortunate, these events often involve donation activities.<\/span><\/p>\n In large mosques, such as the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, bukber events are open to the public. The mosque provides free food, like takjil (appetizers for Iftar) and nasi bungkus or nasi kotak (packed meals or rice box) to be shared during Iftar. Everyone, from those intending to pray Maghrib at the mosque, passing travelers, to the needy, all come together to break their fast in the spirit of togetherness during Ramadan.<\/span><\/p>\n1. Ramadan Preparations<\/b><\/h3>\n
As Ramadan approaches, cemeteries are usually filled with pilgrims (Photo: Hessy Trishandiani)<\/span><\/p>\n2. Communal Culture<\/b><\/h3>\n
3. Bukber and Its Spirit of Sharing<\/b><\/h3>\n
<\/span>Rice packets are usually distributed for breaking the fast together at the mosque<\/em> (Photo: Masjid Pogung Raya)<\/span><\/p>\n4. Enjoying Nusantara’s Culinary Delights<\/b><\/h3>\n