Ramadan - Student voices 3

Class X-A, X-D, X-E and XI-IPA2 and XI-IPS-4


My students were really excited to be a part of this project to "export" their writings to America.





What do you like best about Ramadan?
Going around after midnight. (Andhika 15, Widodo 15)
Nuzulul Qur’an celebration, (see Night of Power question) Tarawih prayers, Fasting, Reading Al-Qur’an. (Febri 16, Kanthi 15, Uun 16)
Kolak banana. (traditional cold soup eaten when fast ends each evening) (Frishna 16, Nizar 17)

Do you like Ramadan? Why?
We can do anything good. We often meet with family. (Reza 16, Farid 16)
We like Ramadan because Ramadan month full of challenges and (good) luck. (Khusnur 17, M Soqiful 17, M Choirul 17)

What is the most important thing about Ramadan?
When we break the fast each day we drink some food named kolak. It is a sweet soup with banana as the main ingredient. (Mega 15, Putri 15)
Ramadan is a month full of God’s guidance. (Dhiny 15, Dwi 16)
Fasting and training the patience. (Elfira 15, Wari 15)
Fasting, prayers and reading the Qur’an in night and day. (Amirah 16)
Restrain yourself for food and drinks. Because this is already the rules. (Endah 16, Merri 16)

Do you have any special activities that you do after Ramadan?
We celebrate with our neighbors. We are brothers and we are family. (Adi 15, Yongky 15)
Yes, very funny (fun?) together after the fast of Ramadan. (Nindiy 17, Rima 16)

How do you feel when Ramadan is finished?
Very happy because we already finished the fasting for 30 days. We with hold self control from hungry, thirsty and angry. (Dana 15, Faishol 15)
Happy and energetic to celebrate Idul Fitri because Ramadan is finished one moon (month and moon are the same word in Indonesian) and all Muslim celebrate day of winning. (Fitria 15, Isna 15)

How do you keep yourself energetic during Ramadan?
We are always doing something interesting such as read the holy Qur’an, learn the science of religion and perform all religious activities that are fun and it multiplies the reward. (M Bagus 15, M Fandy 16)

What do you want Americans to know about Ramadan?
We must celebrate Ramadan with energy, happy and pleasure because Ramadan comes only once in a year. (Lana 15, Galeh 15)
I do not know about Ramadan in America because I stay in Indonesia and I have not yet gone to America. (Endah 17, Mariana 16, Rintha 17)

What are the rules of Ramadan?
During Ramadan we should: fasting, praying with serious, standing passion, kindness, reading al-qur’an, fearing negative things and doing positive things. (Novia 15, Puji 14)
When we are fasting we have to prove that we can be hungry and thirsty from Imsak (prayers before dawn) until Magrib (prayers at sunset) has arrived. (Ifa 15, Qumil 16)

Do you say any special prayers during Ramadan?
We pray to be good people. (Nurul 17, Rizki 16)

Who should NOT fast during Ramadan?
People who go away (travel) approximately 80 km. (50 miles) (Aryanti 14, Eka 14)
Women sufficient and human not Islam religious. (Laila 16, Esty 15)
Time the menstruation, grandma, grandpa and pregnant mom. (Lilya 16, Riska 16)
Baby or sick or pregnant human. (Enik 17, Naning 16)

Do you have a special Ramadan story?
Big meat in restaurant. ( maybe meat, maybe meeting with lot of family and friends?) (Iftihal 15, Cici 16)

How did you fast for Ramadan when you were a child?
When friends and I child we study fasting for half a day. And sometimes friends and I not fast because of the impact of my friends not fasting. (Fika 16, Rivatun 16)
When I was a child I did fast for a full day each day in Ramadan month and I must to re-train my passion. If I tired I went to bed and I sleeped in the afternoon. (Sugeng 17, M Arifuddin 15)

What happened the first time you fasted? How old were you?
The first time I fasted I feel hungry, thirsty and dull but fasting is an obligation for Muslim. (Nita 16, Riza 15)
7 years old. I happy because I eat banana kolak, many fruits and many other foods and prayers. (Gready 15, M Ilzam 16)

What do you want to tell Americans about fasting?
We must endure hunger and thirst. (Dahlia 15, Ulfa 15)

Do you have any special traditions before or after fasting?
Yes, I take a bath before fasting because it can clean the self. (Fika 16, Rivatun 16)
Party, Fire (works), Flowers, Usually my best friends and my family, In village, My love. (Amdhang 15, Darang 16)
After fasting Open Family (Open House) together and next prayers Tarawih. (Fatimatu, Pramesi)
Prayers and good relations. (Nico 17, Yoga 16)

What happens when you are fasting?
I feel hungry, thirsty and frowned. (Alfinatin 15, Nilna 15)

What happens on a normal day when you are fasting?
Before fasting I eat Sahur, (3:00am) next praying Tanatud and watching TV – Opera Van Java (religious program?) and waiting. Then I pray Subuh (4:20am) then I take a bath, then I go to school till 12:00 when we pray Dhurur together. Then I come back from school. I sleep. I get up. I am praying Ashar (3:00pm) and waiting for Adzan Magrib (call to prayer) for open (to end) the fasting. After fasting I am praying Magrib, (5:35pm) Ishyah (6:44pm) and Tarawih next to reading al-Qur’an. (M Abi 15, Doni 15)

How does fasting influence your daily activities?
The trick is to make a simple diet so the stomach can rest. (M Jauhar 16, Rehan 15)

Why are you fasting?
Because fasting is obligation for Muslims people in the world. (Firda 17, Ratna 16)
Fasting is resist hunger, thirst, emotion but fast also makes us healthy. (Lufi 16, Luluk 16)

What is Idul Fitri?
It is a glory day. We usually visiting others and forgive each other. (Sugeng 17, M Arifuddin 15)
Prayers together in the mosque and celebrate with kindness. (Linda 15, Arti 15)
It is the feast day for the Muslim community. (Lufti 16, Ponisri 16)
It is like Merry Christmas – day of the celebration of conquest. (Elma 15, Ngaina 15, Pramita 16, Uswtul 16)

What do you do for Idul Fitri?
We make ties of friendship. (visit others) (M Syaifudin 16, Zainal 16)
Party and fireworks. (M Tajjudin 16, Orien 17)
Me and my parents always visit at my grandma’s home. (Sokhibus 16, Apin 16)

What is your favorite food for Idul Fitri?
Soto Ayam is a kind of chicken soup with glass noodles content using the spice tumeric that is blended with other spices so that the aroma of chicken soup mixed with tumeric is very tasteless (tasty) Soto ayam can also be eaten with rice or slices of lontong. Soto is one of the famous foods in Indonesia. (Fajar 15, Panji 16)
Ketupat Sayur because usually ketupat sayur to open house for Idul Fitri and we eat the good food always together with Big (extended)Family. (Anita 15, Uswtun 15)
Steamed rice with fried egg. (U’un 16) Fried rice that is very hot. (Mamik 15)
Steamed rice and chicken with many kinds of flavor. (Bintang 16, Bobby 16)

Do you think Muslims want to live in America? Why?
Yes, because in America there are only a few persons that are Muslim, so that portion Muslim go to America for access instructions Islam in order that it can disseminate wide in every corner of the world. (Ulif 15, Citra 16, Lailatus 16)
Yes. They want to spread Islam all over the world. (Mila 15, Chandra 14)
No, we like to live in Indonesia. Indonesia have culture and customs different but firm one only. (Santi 16, Retno 16)
Maybe they are on holiday or have a job there. (Atik 15, Isra 16)
They want to study or they want to work in America. (Iftihal 15, Cici 16)

Do you think Americans should visit Indonesia during Ramadan?
No, I don’t think that Americans will visit because it is a month for Muslims and many Americans are Christianity people. (Eiluh 15, Sri 17)
Yes I do because they can know about Ramadhan by visit Indonesia and to study about the activities of Ramadan. (Lita 15, Tarik 16)
No, because I think not important. (Faturakhim 15, Mamlaul 16)

What do you think is the most difficult thing about being a Muslim in America?
We think it is the absence of the mosque there. There are many churches in America, if there is a mosque maybe just a bit because the more dominating is the church. (M Bagus 15, M Fandy 16)

Would you like to go to America for Ramadan?
No, because I would like to visit my family and celebrate Idul Fitri together. (Wulan 14, Nur 15)
No, I don’t like to go because for Ramadan I want to be with my family in my house. (Ika 16, Ambar 17)
Yes, I like it because I want to celebrate Ramadan in America. (Kholidatul 16, Novita 16)

Will you only marry a Muslim person? Why?
Yes, of course!!! Because if we married with a non-Muslim person will be difficult to unite two religion ideologies which are different from each other. It can disturb the relation and the children growing up. The children will be a doubtful person because they get different religion doctrine. It can influence the children personality. (Vira 15, Wilda 15)
Yes, because I want to have the husband that can guide me in the right way and not have the influence of another religion because the religion that is very right is just Islam. (Sulfaolita 16, Nur 15)
Yes, because it is obligation. (Wahyu 15, Berkah 15)

What do you want Americans to know about Islam?
The rules of Islam. (Mafise 15, Nisa 16)
Islam is the perfect religion because it refers to the holy book Al-Qur’an that Allah sent down to prophet Mohammad SAW for all people. ISLAM is for the prayers said during the day: Isya, Shubuh, Luhur, Ashar Magrib. (Dessy 14, Eka 15, Nadira 16)
I will go there and explain about Islam to Americans and invite them to come in Islam. I want to be like Nabi Muhammad. Or I will marry with American people and invite them for to come in Islam. ^_^ (Erna 15, Anis 17)

What do you want to tell Americans about being a Muslim?
Being a Muslim is very happy, because Islam is a perfect religion. Islam is down direct by Allah. (Aryanti 14, Eka 14)
We give rice or money to poor people in Ramadan before Idul Fitri. It’s name is zakat fitrah to purify our soul and our wealth and to celebrate Idul Fitri day with all of our big family for good will to all. (Endang 17, Ririn 16)

What is important to you about being a Muslim?
With the Moslem religion our thinking can not have a negative impact. (Nurul 16, Vika 15)
To be a Muslim makes us better. (Andri 16, Muhtaadin 16)
Prayers, fasting, kindness and respect to each other. (Siti 16, Salus 17)

How does your religion impact your daily life?
Increasing devotion to Allah. Verily the noblest among you in the sight of Allah are the most pious among you. From the word of Allah explains the necessity that the devoted live well and be the key to salvation and happiness in life in the world and the hereafter then will be a measure of the glory of one’s piety in the eyes of Allah. (Fajar 15, Panji 16)
It teaches me to be a kind person. (Anita 15, Uswatun 15)
I always doing with happy fun. (U’un 16, Mamik 15)

What is the most important thing about your religion?
Praying. Praying must do 5 times a day. Except praying, in the Islam religion that good deeds don’t important. (I am not sure what Irma and Reni are saying.) (Irma 15, Reni 16)
Prayers, obligatory alms at the end of the Great Lent, fasting at Ramadan and the need to make a pilgrimage to Mecca for them who are able to. (Dewi 16, Leli 16)
Religion very impact to existence. (Gita 16, Weny 16)

What are the obligations of a Muslim?
Respect for people rich or poor. (Lilya 16, Riska 16)

How do you feel when you pray?
I feel getting closer with Allah. I feel quiet. Protection from Allah. (Livy 15, Tary 15)
If I am pray I am feel very happy and in my heart feel quiet. (Ratna 15, Ismafatul 15)
I feel peace heart. (Bayu, Ilmanudin)
Happy and moved. (M Tajjudin 16, Orien 17)

Why do you pray?
We pray to ask for what we want. (Yefi 15, Alfanda 15)

What is the Night of Power?
It is the time the al-Qur’an book was brought down to Mohammad s.a.w. prophet in the Hero Cave and this is one of the miracles given to Mohammad. He saw from Allah SWT Al-Qur’an as a compass for mankind of Moslem and the last of the book that Allah SWT gave are Sabur, Injil and Taurat. (Dyah 15, Tia 16)
It is a holy day in which Muslims celebrate the day when Al-Qur’an was divined in Hira cave to the prophet Muhammad SAW.

What is Pondok (Cottage)Ramadan?
It is about worship, teaching doctrine, the customs and the days that are considered special by the Islamic religion. Also places considered sacred and so on. (Rindang 14, Salma 15)
Extra curricular in the school that has a purpose to give religious science. (Zulfaolita 16, Nur 15)

What do you do during Pondok (Cottage) Ramadan?
My activities are prayers, to stand hunger, thirst and desire. (Rita 15, Yolanda 15)
Pondok Ramadan is can to reward. (able to give us benefit…?) (Diah 15, Yozega 15)

I apologize for any mistakes. Students - Please tell me about them and I will fix the blog.