"Ramadan is the moment to rearrange and improve personal quality. We must become Muslims that are obedient to the instructions of the Almighty God. We must also accustom ourselves to nurture solidarity with each other," Qoumas said in a statement received here on Saturday.
The solidarity can be realized if people can purify themselves of vanity, which he said he sees as a blemish on the human character that must be purified.
"We are defeated by vanity if we see ourselves as the most perfect while perceiving others always wrong. It is vanity if we see ourselves as the most honest while perceiving others as ever-deceitful," the minister said.
Moreover, he said that this Ramadan will be the third to be observed by Indonesian Muslims amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the improving pandemic conditions, he urged residents to continue observing the health protocols while performing religious rituals during the Ramadan fasting period.
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"We still welcome Ramadan this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the pandemic conditions (showing a) declining (trend), we must maintain our conditions by improving our awareness of cleanliness and healthiness," Qoumas added.
The minister expressed the hope that through solidarity among Muslims and observing the health protocols during Ramadan, the Indonesian nation will be positively impacted by the holy Islamic month.
"Ramadan Kareem. This is our momentum to arise from the COVID-19 pandemic for the progress of our nation. Representing the Religious Affairs Ministry, I convey my Happy Fasting greetings. I hope we will be part of Ramadan 'university' and will 'graduate' with our best achievements," he remarked.
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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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