On Tuesday (May 15th), the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) of the University of Indonesia (UI) held a Tarhib Ramadhan (Ramadan gathering) to welcome the holy month of Ramadan 1439 H in Building B, Room 101, UI Campus, Depok. The event was attended by the entire FMIPA UI family, including faculty leaders, department heads, study program heads, teaching staff, staff, and students.

In his remarks, the Dean of FMIPA UI, Dr. rer. nat. Abdul Haris, expressed his gratitude for being reunited with this month of forgiveness and blessings.

“We need to remember our brothers and sisters who returned to Allah SWT before us, and therefore were unable to experience this holy month full of grace. Therefore, we must be grateful for this encounter together, because otherwise, this Ramadan would be meaningless,” Haris said.

On this auspicious occasion, Haris also expressed his condolences for the bombings in several regions in Indonesia. He urged the entire FMIPA UI academic community and the entire Indonesian people not to be provoked by these bombings and to always increase their vigilance.

He also emphasized to the entire FMIPA UI family the need to reject all acts of terrorism, radicalism, and intolerance that disrupt the unity and harmony of religious communities in Indonesia.

Furthermore, Haris congratulated and awarded his students for winning several medals at the 2018 ON MIPA-PT event. Although the FMIPA UI contingent did not win the title, he was optimistic that his students could improve their achievements and become champions of the next ON MIPA-PT event. Therefore, Haris instructed academic advisors to continue supporting and monitoring their students’ academic potential.

Haris emphasized something equally important before concluding his remarks. He firmly urged his staff to maintain unity, togetherness, and enthusiasm for work.

“This is crucial. Don’t let your enthusiasm diminish during Ramadan,” he asserted, drawing laughter from the academic community.

He explained that fasting doesn’t mean your performance will decline. Rather, by engaging in worship during Ramadan, you must also increase your devotion to the nation and work with full enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, Ustad Abdi Kurnia in his sermon explained the meaning of the word marhaban ya ramadhan The truth is. Most Muslims interpret the words marhaban ya ramadhan literally which means “welcome to the holy month of ramadhan”.

However, according to Arabic, Marhaban merupakan kata turunan dari awal kata “rahb” which means broad or spacious. So this greeting shows a broad heart towards the guests who come. So the meaning of the word Marhaban Ya Ramadhan which is actually congratulations on the arrival of the month of Ramadan which is accompanied by a warm welcome and joy.

“So sir, madam, Ramadan is analogous to a special guest, which we must welcome with an open, happy heart” Explained Ustd. Abdi Kurnia.

He continued, we are indeed happy with the presence of Ramadan, because this month brings many virtues for all of us. If we contemplate it one by one more deeply, then of course that joy will become more complete and perfect.

And the virtues of the month of Ramadan conveyed by Ustd. Abdi Kurnia include: First, Because Ramadan is the month of shedding our sins. The second thing that makes us happy is, because Ramadan is the month of goodness, where we all perform worship with full enthusiasm, in droves and really feel lighter. The third thing that makes us happy is, because Ramadan is the month where our brotherhood increases.

“Just imagine, how these days are filled with many meetings between mosque congregations, starting from Tarawih prayers in congregation, tadarusan after Tarawih, to dawn prayers in congregation”. He explained.

This event also ended with the meeting of the entire leadership and academic community of FMIPA UI by shaking hands and forgiving each other.