Ramadan – Student voices 1

This is information for the internet to tell Americans about Ramadan.


Class X-H, XI IPA-1, XI IPA-3, XI IPS-2, XI IPS-3 and XI Agama


I asked my students in grade 10 and 11 to tell me more about Ramadan. They chose the questions and worked with partners.





Why are you fasting? What do you want to tell Americans about fasting?
Because it is an obligation of the human race. (M. Hasan 16, Nano 16)
Fasting is one of the Islam principles. (M Rizal 15, Rudi 17)
To be patient and not have a bad prejudice of other people. (Afidatul 16, Atik 15)
Fasting defends our traditions and then we get to celebrate the feast. (Ratna 16, Lis 16)
Because we are obliged to do it every year and it is our tradition. (Atik 16, Fika 16)
To restrain thirst and hunger. (Binti 17, Riza 16)
We can practice being patient and we can observe people. (Fitria)


How does fasting influence your daily activities?
Fasting makes for no energy in activities and makes the body frown. (Binti 15, Ika 16)
I get up at 3:00am for a meal. I am used to this from the age of 8 so I am used to starving from 4am till 6pm so fasting does not affect my daily activities because it was unusual for me. After 30 days Muslims celebrate Idul Fitri, the closure, the feast of the diamond. We are very pleased with the arrival of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and Eid because it is a day of victory. (Rindi 16, Lea Shella Cobra 16)
It makes us more patient to face all challenges. (Devi 16, Dewi 16)
It can make health. (Lulfi 16, Yeni 17)

What happens when you are fasting?
Hungry, thirsty, jealous, generous, traditions. (Fenk 16, Lola 16)
We feel thirsty, hungry, sleepy, choked, lazy but we must keep the fast. (Rizaldi, A Kandi)
I see my intention for effort to fast and I must walk with sincerity from before daybreak till we break the fast. (Basofi, Luri)
We read Al-Qur’an and after fasting celebrate Idul Fitri. (Canistia 16, Vitriana 16)


What challenges do you face when you are fasting?
To guard against a passionate emotion and the effort to speak honestly. (Ruhmaia 15, Indra 15)
Hungry, thirsty. (Rendi 16, M Khoirun 17)
To hold hunger and thirst, to loose the feeling of hunger and thirst, but I can do activities to forget it like watching TV and other activities. (Abghi 15, Artin 16)
Hungry, thirsty and holding anger. We must be generous and energetic when fasting. Also for a Muslim must perform prayers. (Tri 16, Yuliana 17)
Also no smoking for a boy. But Muslims are always happy when fasting comes. (Kiptiyatul, Anatus)

What is the most difficult part of Ramadan?
To bear hunger and thirst and do positive activities like reading the Al- Qur’an while we wait for sunset. (Ermi 15, Luluk 15)
The many Islamic activities that add merit. (Desi 16, Yunita 16)
The most difficult is to restrain from anger with any people because it can decrease the reward for fasting Muslim and Muslimah (female Muslims) (Riza 15, Ngalimatul 15)
I think Berhak - to remove anger. This is the most difficult but we must have the face of a Muslim for mankind. (Riza, Isna)
In my mind, to keep the passion inside is very difficult, like hungry, angry and thirsty. To restrain it I do positive activity like reading a holy Qur’an and reading a book. (Arina 16, Siti 16)

What obligations do you have during Ramadan?
Fasting, prayers, bear hungry and thirsty and we must bear passion too for example don’t be angry. (Ratna 16, Heni 16)
Fast, pray, be religious, observe poor people, celebrate and pray. (Arin)
At the fasting month Moslem people do not get angry to observe this month. (Maratus 16, Nur 16)


What do you want Americans to know about Ramadan? What is the meaning of Ramadan?
It is a merciful month, we show mercy to others. I think Americans may be interested in Islam. (Irma 14, Hanifatur 15)
It is to endure passion and desire and not have a bad impact. (Finasti 14, Dwi 15)
Fasting brings good influence to us because there are so many challenges during fasting month. (Ervina 16, Miftiana 16)
In my opinion all peoples must know about Ramadhan cause Ramadhan is the big day for all Moslem in the World and Ramadhan makes us becoame the best more than other months ^_^ (Nida 15, Paramitha 15)
Ramadan is a month of full blessings like: rewards, kindness and generous. (Titik 16, Septiana 16)
Ramadan is month of kindness. I like it when we break the fast at 17:30 together with my family. (Tri 17)
In the moon (month) of Ramadan we must say many prayers to Allah. (Aprilia 16, Nia 16)
We restrain hunger and thirst but we must be energetic. Fasting challenges us as Muslims. (Anis 15, Intan 15)
We must detain thirst, hunger and desire. We maintain good relations with our family. (Rahmawati 17, Riska 16)
Ramadan is the one winning month for Islamic people. (Miftahul 17, Ahmad 17)

What do you want to tell Americans about being a Muslim?
It is a harmonious faith. (Nais 15, Trias 15)
Muslims are sure that Allah swt (The most pure) is true. There are some obligations: belief, prayers, and obligatory alms, fasting and making the pilgrimage to Mecca for Muslims who are able. Thank you and sorry. (Astiya 16, Durotul 16)
It is possible in America that there is not much impact – maybe Muslim people are only 10 – 30% of Americans. But they can still observe and socialize and pray in the mosque. (Aldini 16, Sita 16)(Note: There are 8 million Muslims in America - about 2% of the population.)
Being a Muslim is beautiful. (Aggeng 16, Alfin 16, Dhiya’ul 16)
Muslims have an obligation for prayers five times a day, obligatory alms, making a pilgrimage to Mecca and saying before people that you are a Muslim and reading Syahadat. (Usmirotul 16, Lucky 16)
A Muslim must wear a jilbab, good clothes and give alms to others. (Khusnul 17, Xlasihatul 17)

What is important to you about being a Muslim?
Being a Muslim can deliver you to heaven’s door. (Sevi 16, Rohima 17)
Worship as in prayers, fasting and religious tax and to do a good job when we worship. (Zakiyahil 16, Zuli 17)
I very happy being a Muslim. (Dwi 16) I like it because I love Islam and Islam is beautiful. (Intan 16)
There are 5 important parts: syahadad (declaration of faith), prayers, fasting, haji – go to Makkah (Mecca) (Devya 17, Presrana 16)
Fasting and prayers 5 times a day. (M Yusuf 16, Nrar 16)
Always fasting for 30 days in Ramadhan and at idul Fitri to visit all the houses of my family and praying in the mosque. (Arina 15, Hefti 16)



What special traditions do you observe prior to fasting?
We have a religious memorial banquet (Hammi, Farid)
Usually my family goes to the grave for prayers for my family who has passed away. (Ika 16, Lilis 16)

What do you do to celebrate the end of the fasting month?
We forgive each other and then the children always receive some money from their relatives. (Himah 15, Lailatul 15)
We make a feast for a statement to say Thank You to God because we got to welcome Ramadan again. (Irmawati 16, Ayu 15)
We have Happy Idul Fitri and pray and celebrate each year. (Vina 16)

What is Idul Fitri? How do you celebrate Idul Fitri?
A day to celebrate success because we have been fasting for one month. ( Frisma, Reita)
The day Islamic people go to the mosque and do Idul Fitri prayers and they forgive sometimes. (Bimo 15, Musrifin 17)
Usually Islamic people pray Idul Firtri in a mosque, then they arrive from house to house to forgive something from each other and eat food that has been prepared in their home and on the 8th day they celebrate their feast day again! I like to eat the ketupat, the cake, and the snacks and wear new clothes and play with fireworks and fly a big balloon. (Haman 16, M. Arwani 17)
It is the Win Day of Muslims. Their hearts are so holy. In mosques together all Muslim people resound with Allahu Akbar… Allahu Akbar… meaning God is Great. That is really fun. (Nafissatul 17, Ukhti 16)
It is a shared anniversary for the Moslem race after the obligations of religious fasting. The month brings patience to the heart. Idul Fitri is a power day for Muslims to celebrate being nice. (Alvian 18, Yulian 17)
It is a day of victory for Islamic people. (Rina 16, Ulfa 16)
We celebrate winning over the fasting for one month. (Agustina 17, Nur 16)
Special day for all Muslims, prayers in the mosque at morning. (Eko 16, Novan 16)


What are the rules of Ramadan?
We pay a religious tax because it an obligation for all Muslims to give to the poor. (Dewy, Afif)
We give a division of our treasure to poor people. (Durin, Ulfa)


How does religion impact your daily life?
We must always be optimistic that Allah will give the best to us and we must always do His instruction and stay away from His prohibitions. (M. Rizqi 16, M. Nanda 16)
We are more energetic when we study and pray but sometimes we are tired and thirsty when we play football or volleyball. (M. Deaky 15, A. Albar 15)
My religion is very important for my life. It guides my life. My religion is very true. The rule of my religion is to do kindness. (NM Pandu 16, M TAufiq 16)
My obligation to prayers 5 times a day and to resist hungry and thirsty. (Fitria 17, Elga 16)
Islamic religion is the best of my life and it is the principle of my life. (M Yasin, Nurul)

Do you say special prayers during Ramadan?
Ramadan is a noble month and prayers can disappear problems that are a burden (Dewi, Anjar)
About 7:00pm we go to the mosque together and pray 20 rokaat then continue to pray with 3 rokaat. (This is following the regular 4 cycles of the standard Islamic stand, kneel, forehead to floor prayer sequence. I rokaat takes about 3-5 minutes) (Diyah 16)
Reading Al-Qur’an and prayers of Tarawih and Witir. (M Syamsul 15, M Alwi 16)
We execute Tatawih prayers so we do not perish. (Fitri 16, Desti 16)
We say special prayers during Ramadan so that the praises come back. (Achmad M Nur)

How do you keep yourself energetic during Ramadan?
Drink 4 glasses of water at Sahur (3:30am) and always smile and pretend to not be thirsty and hungry and to eat fruits like apples, bananas, oranges and to be always mindful of Allah SWT (Peace be upon him) (Diah 15, Novi 15)
Always have positive thinking and eat fruits and vegetables, fresh. ( Imam 15, Ryan 16)
I do keep myself energetic by sleeping. (Asad 16, Farid 16)
I climb over (overcome) my feeling of being hungry. (Nur 17, Putri 18)
I do activities that are easy and enjoyed. Examples: reading a story book, watching TV, short messaging services (texting) with my friends. When we finish fasting we eat many kinds of foods pregnant with vitamins. (Intan 16, Elok 16)
Don’t do too many tiring activities, eat the nutritious consume, and keep to power. (Agus, Hadi)

How old were you the first time you fasted and what happened?
5 years old – I felt hungry and thirsty but is was a challenge for me to be patient. (Hanim 15, Anis 15)
I feel happy because fasting is a challenge and if we do kindness we have a reply twice for Allah swt (The most pure.) (Devi 16, Riska 16)
I was 6 years old. I must get up every morning to a meal in the night and I was very lazy to do it. But I’m very happy to fast because it makes my body healthy. When we break the fast it is a special moment. (Atina 16, Nurul 17)
I old 6 years (Dewi 16) I old 7 years (Ika 17) We feel thirsty but happy because we can feel Ramadan this year. To me fasting is important because it guards against lust.
First time I fasted 7 years old;. (Bayatul 16) and 10 years old (Elin 16) I feel happy and energetic but also hungry, thirsty and choked.

Do you like Ramadan? Why?
Yes, because it is an obligation of a Moslem person. (Abdul, Sodiq)
Ramadan is a month of full blessing and pleasure.(Citra 16, Siska 16)
What I like about Ramadan is that we break the fast Together with people and people are generous. During Ramadan we observe people – the afternoon is when the challenges often happen: hunger, thirst and jealousy. (Ervina 15, Siti 16)
Yes, because fasting makes people healthy and smart. (Dewi 16, Marinda 15)
Yes, Ramadan is a month of full blessing, reward, holiness, mercy, patience and forgiveness. (Whyu 16, Ferida 16)
Yes, I am hungry and thirsty but I am very very happy. (Yayuk 16, Heny 16)
Yes, it is a month full of blessings. (Kiki 17, Indah 17)
What I like best: reading Al- Qur’an, praying Tarawi’h, Sahur / dinner, and Berbuka Puasa / Breakfast (Happy 17, Urvi 17)

Will you only marry a Muslim person? Why?
Yes, because that is the Islamic rule so there is a side to sacrifice in religion (Sultan 15)
Yes, because of past rules, traditions and Muslim municipality. (Baridatul 16, Wahyu 16)
Yes, because in Al-qur’an – don’t marry different religions, unless you expect the person you marry to move to the Muslim religion. I want to find a woman who is already grown-up, nubile and knows good and bad. (Himawan 16, Gala 15)
Yes, it is my principle of being a Muslim. (Benny 17, Jalu 16)
Yes, because I am a proper Muslim and because of Surah Rasulullah RAW. (in the Holy Qur’an) (Relna 16, Aprelia 16)
No, because Hadits explain how we can marry with a non-Muslim. Example Sunan Kalijogo (Muslim religious leader) married a person from China. (Who became a Muslim) (Iva 17)


Do you have a special Ramadan story?
In the middle of the night (3:00-3:30am) we must wake up and eat sahur. (Nurul 16, Titik 16)
Yes, I am energetic to walk when I am fasting. (M Zmrul, Niko)
Yes, I have a special Ramadan story. (Eko)

On Eko's paper I did ask him "What is the story?" I'll let you know if I find out.
During this Ramadan I am praying for the families and friends of people who read this blog.
Love and Peace.
Oma Colleen