LIVE: Indonesian Muslims mark the holy month of Ramadan
TL;DR
This Reuters live broadcast captures Indonesian Muslims at Masjid Istiqfar commencing Ramadan 1447 Hijriah with Tarawih prayers and a sermon on "Ramadan Hijau," emphasizing the month's spiritual power to burn away sins and transform believers from states of aggression to gentle mercy.
🕌 Ramadan Observances and Rituals 3 insights
Nightly intention required for fasting validity
Following the Shafi'i and Hanafi schools predominant in Indonesia, worshippers must renew their intention (niat) to fast each night before sleeping, though Imam Maliki's opinion permits a single intention on the first night for the entire month.
Tarawih prayers mark the holy month's opening
The congregation performed the first Tarawih prayers on Wednesday, 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijriah (corresponding to March 18), led by Imam Abdurrahman with tight rows and full attendance encouraged.
Mosque offers comprehensive religious services
Masjid Istiqfar provides fatwa consultations, zakat and waqf management services from 12:30 to 17:30 daily, and organizes Tadarus Al-Quran (Quran recitation) sessions immediately following Tarawih prayers.
🌱 Spiritual Transformation: The 'Green Ramadan' Concept 3 insights
Ramadan literally means 'burning' of sins
The sermon explains that Ramadan derives from 'ramida' meaning to burn, representing the month's capacity to incinerate past sins and eliminate the twin spiritual burdens of guilt and sinful behavior.
Transition from 'red' aggression to 'green' mercy
The "Ramadan Hijau" theme teaches Muslims to migrate from 'red' states of anger, masculinity, and aggression toward 'green' states of gentleness, patience, and emotional softness.
Allah emphasizes nurturing over punitive power
While Allah possesses powerful attributes (Uluhiyyah), the Quran predominantly reveals His nurturing dimension as Rabb (Lord), with the vast majority of divine names and descriptions emphasizing mercy and educational care (tarbiyah) over harsh judgment.
🤝 Charity and Community Engagement 2 insights
Charity rewards multiplied seven hundredfold
Quranic verses recited during the opening state that donations given in Allah's path during Ramadan yield spiritual rewards equivalent to seven hundred times their value, with Allah granting additional multiplication to whom He wills.
Congregational presence maximizes blessings
Worshippers are urged to fill all empty spaces in the mosque, maintain continuous participation from dawn through evening programs, and utilize the mosque as the primary venue for spiritual growth during the sacred month.
Bottom Line
Approach Ramadan as a permanent spiritual migration (hijrah) from aggressive, sinful habits to gentle practices by renewing your fasting intention nightly, actively participating in communal mosque programs, and deliberately softening your heart toward others to embody divine mercy.
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