Ied Mubarak Said

Taqabbal Allah minna wa minkum

It's very hard to seperate with this holy month. Every one of us --i believe-- has special spiritual expereince during this month. All worships that we've been performing during this fasting month give us more meaningfull life and closer relation with the Creator. We just hope that all of these special things will accompany us in next 11 months untill --insha Allah-- we meet again with next Ramadhan. Taqabbal Allah minna shiyamana wa qiyamana. Taqabbal ya Karim...

Two Interesting Points

Mr. Nadjib Riphat Kesoema (Head of Education dan Training Centre Departement of Foreign Affairs RI) and Mr. Boer Mauna (ex. Ambassador of RI in Kingdom of Morroco and Egypt) visit Morocco for several days and meet Indonesian community, here in Rabat, Monday, Oct 24, 2005.

At least, there are two interesting points from the meeting: first, early clues about strong historical-religious relation between Indonesia and Morocco. These clues are reflected in the Islamic rituals practiced by Indonesian traditional Moslems, such as burial tradition, praying ceremony held at 7, 40, 100th day from the death day, etc. The referencial evendence shows that Ibnu Batuta (8th H century Moroccan famous adventurer) visited Samudera Pasai twice in his trip to China from India. One of 'nine saints' (wali songo) who spread Islam in Java: Maulana Maghribi was from Morocco. Moderate Islam as kind of daily practicing Islam in two countries is also the evidence of that historical relation. All these early evidences make us think about more seriously research on historical facts about relation between two countries in order to strengthen and enrich islamic and civilisation studies in Indonesia.

Second, reformation held by Departement of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia in educating and training its diplomats. This drives us to talk about facts that most of Indonesian diplomats in Arabic countries are languagely and culturally incapable, because most of them don't speak Arabic nor master Arabic culture. Of course, in this situation, it's difficult for them to maximize their diplomation efforts to help economic and social recovery in Indonesia. Mr. Nadjib explains that The Departement of Foreign Affairs has made correct steps to solve this problem. We are waiting the result of this effort. Cause the country pays so much to their diplomats abroad in fact that the poverty in the country increase more and more...

Thanks you Mr. Nadjib for the impressing presentation and "bienvenue chez nous" Mr. Boer...

My English

It's very difficult to start writting in English. Since 4 years ago, when i came to continue my study in Morroco, i just 'in touch' with Arabic and French language. So, i couldn't improve my English at all. Now, when i see that some of my indonesian brothers/sisters who study abroad write very good in their blogs in english, i feel that it's time to practice the 'learning by doing' methode in improving my english. I hope that day by day my english will be better.

May be, after English, i'll do the same thing with my French and, of course, my Arabic. I think these three languages will give me enough 'power' to understand better the newest information in the field of knowledge, world affairs, muslim affairs etc; and to communicate my point of views with most people in the world. I believe that when indonesian students write more and more in the most popular language in the world, the people from all over the world will give better appreciation on Indonesia.

I believe that you'll find some grammatical mistakes in my writtings. But, i'll make it correct by the process of this 'learning'. Thanks a lot and bye for this time.

Belajar dari Ramadlan

Kebahagiaan selalu membuncah setiap Ramadlan tiba. Manusia muslim diajak kembali ke fitrahnya. Fitrah yang menyukai kebenaran, kebaikan dan keindahan; membenci kemenyimpangan, kejahatan dan keburukan. Dunia manusia diajak kembali ke keseimbangan natural-nya. Keseimbangan yang memungkinan bumi ini berputar semakin lama. Keseimbangan yang menjadikan jagat raya berjalan dalam harmonisasi yang luar biasa.

Ramadlan mengajak manusia untuk menegakkan keadilan; menghidupkan semangat menegakkan keadilan dari bisikan terhalus dalam dirinya. Ramadlan membuat hidup ini menjadi mungkin. Ramadlan menyemaikan optimisme akan masa depan yang lebih baik.

Ramadlan menjadi semacam hujan deras yang meluapkan air sungai di hati kita untuk menggerus kotoran-kotoran yang lama mengendap; atau semacam api ribuan derajat yang menempa besi hati kita menjadi senjata tajam yang mengkilat dan sakti. Ramadlan adalan sekolah jiwa dan raga bagi orang yang mau memasukinya dengan hati dan pikiran yang terbuka untuk belajar, merenung dan beramal.

Ramadlan kemudian menjadi tali temali yang mengikat hati kita dengan hati saudara-saudara kita. Ramadlan seperti tali yang menyatukan lidi hati dan badan yang berserakan untuk bersama-sama bangkit dalam lingkaran kerjasama berbuat makruf. Kerjasama buah sekolah Ramadlan hanyalah kerjasama berbuat baik bukan berbuat tidak baik; kerjasama yang tulus, bukan mengerjai orang yang lebih lemah, lebih miskin dan lebih terbatas akses pengetahuannya.

Seharusnya sebagai murid sekolah Ramadlan yang berhasil, pejabat-pejabat di negeri kita mau menurunkan taraf hidupnya demi menyesuaikan dengan kondisi rakyat yang sangat memprihatinkan; rakyat yang menghadapi kondisi sulit mesti bersabar dan berusaha untuk keluar dari jeratan kesulitan itu; tokoh agama dan ilmu mesti berani berkata benar betapapun susah dan pahitnya. Ramadlan mestinya menjadikan kita menghentikan sumpah serapah, berpikir jernih dan tetap optimis akan masa depan yang lebih baik.

Ramadlan mestinya meninggalkan komitmen kuat kepada kita untuk tidak hanya baik, dermawan, suka belajar, rendah hati, bersih diri-bersih sosial, mengutamakan kepentingan orang lain, bersemangat menegakkan kebenaran dan keadilan pada bulan Ramadlan saja, tetapi menjadi jati diri yang muncul dan memberi buah positif kapan dan dimana saja.

Terima kasih wahai Ramadlan. Engkau banyak mengajarkan nilai-nilai kepada kami. Semoga kami bisa memahami dan mewujudkannya dalam kehidupan riil sehari-hari.