Kosovo a Muslim State in Europe

Finally, people of Kosovo struggle to gain independent realised, thus becomes the only Muslim-majority nation in Europe. Despite its claim as embrcaing the “laid-back” version of Islam, some of its neighbors feel “unsafe”. Considering many factors, this pre-conceived notion is understandable.

That’s said, I think the existence of independent Kosovo is good to let European people in to more understanding towards Islam and that Muslims, many of them, just like any other who are busy to make a dissent living for themselves and their family. Every single Muslim represent a mozaic of Muslims as a whole, it’s NOT a homogeneous entity as one in other parts of the world might or is led to think.

Happy New Islamic Year 1429

Happy New Islamic Year 1429 for all Muslim around the globe. Selamat Tahun Baru 1429 untuk Saudara-saudara Muslim di manapun berada. Wish you New year with new better heart.

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. Since the Islamic calendar is lunar, Muharram moves from year to year when compared with the Gregorian calendar. It is held to be the most sacred of all the months, excluding Ramadan. Some Muslims fast during these days. The tenth day of Muharram is called Yaumu-l ‘Ashurah, meaning, ‘the tenth day’, and it is a day of voluntary fasting.

Idul Fitri 2007

Muhammadiyah Muslim organization–the second largest after Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) has decided that the day of Idul Fitri or Eid ul-Fitr will be on Friday, 12 October 2007. While NU–the largest Muslim organisation– has yet to decide, it’ll depend on moonsighting, either on Friday or Saturday (13 October 2007). Meanwhile, the pulang kampung tradition has already begun. Pulang kampung or going back home is done by those rural people who are working in some major cities particularly Jakarta. The tradition is carried out usually once a year that is during the end of Ramadan. They will come back to work a week after Idul Fitri or Hari Raya Lebaran.

For everyone, those who do pulang kampung to celebrate Idul Fitri in their respective home town or who don’t, I wish you all Happy Eid ul-Fitr Selamat Hari Raya Idul Fitri. Minal ‘Aidzin wal Faizin. Mohon maaf lahir dan batin.
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Iftar Party

Yesterday, I was invited to attend an iftar party. It’s hosted by a political party which assured me that it’s nothing political. Iftar party which is held during holy month of Ramadan is a common practice not only here in Indonesia, but also in India. Particularly in India, iftar party is not only held and hosted by Muslims, many non-Muslims are also holding this event as a good gesture to their Muslim counterparts. To have a clue about this term, here’s the definition:

Iftar refers to the evening meal for breaking the daily fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan. Iftar during Ramadan is often done as a community, with Muslims gathering to break their fast together. Iftar is done right after Maghrib (sunset) time. Traditionally, a date is the first thing to be consumed during Iftar when the fast is broken.

Ramadan 2007, Schedule and Prayer Times

So, it’s confirmed now that Ramadan in Indonesia will start from tomorrow (Thursday, September 13 2007). I am glad that two biggest Indonesian Muslim organisation, NU and Muhammadiyah, are in unison to start from Thursday, despite it won’t guarantee their unity in ending it. In India, this kind of differences never take place simply because they are mostly following Hanafi School of thought theologically; and having a bit differences on other matters which are mostly political.

For those Muslims who are observing Ramadan in Indonesia Malaysia India and indeed other cities of the world you can download Ramadan fasting schedule and prayer times below. The schedule is important especially for those who are far away from mosques or not staying in Muslim neighborhood.

Ramadan in Indonesia

If there’s no sudden change of schedule during this week time, it’d be my first Ramadan (spelled in Bahasa either Ramadhan or Ramadlan) in Indonesia after so long time doing adventurous brouhaha in India during which I hadn’t returned home even once. Strangely during that “meditation time” I occasionally got time to met alll my sisters neither in Indonesia nor India. It’s in Saudi Arabia, instead.

So, now once again I have a look and feel of conditions preceding the month of fasting for Muslims which are typically Indonesia: price hike of certain commodities, controversies surrounding the start and the end of Ramadan all of which are unknown outside Indonesia which means that the fast of Ramadan has a lot of meaning to Indonesian Muslims.
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Successful Life

The Quran’s attitude towards suffering and adversity is not passive and resigned, but positive and dynamic. The believers are told that they will surely suffer and to be patient and persevering in times of harrdship, but they are also to look forward and seek opportunities to improve their situation and rectify existing wrongs. They are told that while the risks and struggle may be great, the ultimate benefit and reward will be much greater.

Life was never meant to be easy. The Quran refers to a suffessful life as an “uphill climb,” a climb that most will avoid.

We certainly have created man to face distress. Does he think that no one has power over him? He will say: I have wasted much wealth. Does he think that no one sees him? Have We not given him two eyes, and a tongue and two lips and pointed out to him the two conspicuous ways? But he attempts not the uphill climb; and what will make you comprehend the uphill climb? [It is] to free a slave, or to feed in a day of hunger an orphan nearly related, or the poor one lying in the dust. Then he is of those who believe and exhort one another to patience and exhort one another to mercy. (Quran 90: 4-17)

Karen Amstrong’s Muhammad

Quote of the Day:

Muslims have always understood this. Their scripture, the Qur’an, gave them a mission: to create a just and decent society, in which all members were treated with respect…

… As a paradigmatic personality, Muhammad has important lessons, not only for Muslims, but also for Western people. His life was a jihad: … this word does not mean “holy war,” it means “struggle.” … His life was a tireless campaign against greed, injustice, and arrogance.
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Keith Ellison, Quran and “American Civilisation”

I wrote earlier on Keith Ellison the first American Muslim ever elected as Congressman which surprisingly spark much hype in America. Another (unnecessary)controversy seems to be in the pipeline now regarding his intention to take oath by Quran instead of the Bible.

Dennis Prager’s article first published in townhall.com I think is the one that sparks the controversy.