RAMADAN SERVES MOMENTUM TO BUILD NATIONHOOD

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 26 (Antara) - Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin urged Muslims to maintain the sacredness of the fasting month of Ramadan as the basis for building their personality and the nationhood.          "Take this Ramadan a moment to reflect, evaluate and improve quality. In addition, Muslims are required to be devoted individually and to be pious socially, as well as be able to establish peace among human beings," Lukman said in a written statement in Jakarta early this week.          According to him, Ramadan in Arabic means to burn. That means that Ramadan is a month for Muslims to burn lust, anger, scorn and other destructive behaviors.          To that end, Lukman hoped that Ramadan is not littered with hate speech, insult and defamation, both in the space of social perspective and in the realm of religions.          "Do not let the religious realm, let alone worship places, be littered with hate speech that can eliminate the sacredness of worship," he said.          The Minister hopes fasting can increase a sense of compassion, mutual respect and honor for others. People who fast will not get any reward if they are not able to establish peace in social life.