Reflection : Of course it is good that there is a time to remember those less fortune, but it is neither satisfactory nor solution for them to come out of their unfortunate and misery condition.
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/editorials/editorial-a-time-to-remember-those-less-fortunate/406814 Editorial: A Time to Remember Those Less Fortunate November 15, 2010 More than two million Muslims from every corner of the globe will gather on Mount Arafat today as they complete one of the five pillars of Islam, the hajj. It is a ritual that bonds Muslims from around the world as they stand temporarily stripped of their worldly possessions. Dressed simply in a single white cloth, the pilgrims, rich and poor, stand equal in the eyes of God as they reflect on their lives on earth. Completing the pilgrimage is a powerful experience for Muslims as it helps them to focus on what is essential and redirect their lives if necessary. All able-bodied Muslims must perform the hajj at least once in their lifetime if they can afford to do so. Meanwhile, Muslims not on the hajj can still share in the event by sacrificing a goat and distributing the meat to the poor on the following day, Idul Adha. The Day of Sacrifice is a special time for Indonesian Muslims as they show their concern for the less fortunate. Thousands of animals will be sacrificed throughout the country with the meat being distributed to those who are unable to afford meat on a daily basis. Unlike Idul Fitri, Idul Adha is a more somber event, a time for reflection and humility. Muslims use this occasion to pray and look deep inside themselves, and in following the Prophet Ibrahim, who was willing to sacrifice his son to obey God, they submit themselves to the will of God. The central message of Idul Adha is that of sacrifice and not allowing the trappings of modern life to distract us. That message is applicable to Muslims and non-Muslims alike and it should be adhered to every day, not just on Idul Adha. This is especially relevant in today's Indonesia where our consumer-oriented society sometimes forgets the true meaning of life. Too many of us are absorbed in our own narrow worlds and forget the need to also think of those who may be less fortunate. This must change if we are to create a nation that is built on brotherhood, tolerance and empathy. The hajj is the greatest pilgrimage on earth and it brings millions of people together in one spot at one particular time. After returning from their pilgrimage, Indonesians should share their experience and wisdom with their fellow citizens. Having experienced a deep emotional and spiritual awakening, they must strive to influence others to take the right path. Faith is a very personal matter, but given Indonesia's religious and ethnic diversity, both Muslims and non-Muslims alike can share in the blessings of Idul Adha. The message is applicable to all Indonesians who believe in caring for their fellow human beings. We wish all our Muslim readers Selamat Idul Adha. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Post message: prole...@egroups.com Subscribe : proletar-subscr...@egroups.com Unsubscribe : proletar-unsubscr...@egroups.com List owner : proletar-ow...@egroups.com Homepage : http://proletar.8m.com/Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: proletar-dig...@yahoogroups.com proletar-fullfeatu...@yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: proletar-unsubscr...@yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
