Religion Minister: Islamic New Year is Momentum to Strengthen Unity

Minister of Religious Affairs Fachrul Razi delivers press statement. (Photo: Documentation of Cabinet Secretariat).

Muslims should make the most of the momentum of Islamic New Year 1 Muharam 1442 Hijriah to strengthen unity to realize an advanced Indonesia, Minister of Religious Affairs Fachrul Razi has said.

According to the Minister, Muslims always recall its New Year commemoration as a historic moment of the Prophet Muhammad’s hijrah (journey) from Mecca to Medina. The spirit of hijrah, he added, means to move from a bad condition to a better one.

Similar to human life, he continued, hijrah also carries a deep meaning in daily life.

“One of them is to reaffirming unity and realizing a better life,” the Minister said, adding that hijrah also means a move from disbelief to piety, from being underdeveloped to being developed, from being bad to being good, and also from ignorance to dignified civilization.

“Let’s celebrate the Islamic New Year with gratitude. Use it as an opportunity to become a better human and nation. Let’s move from various difficulties due to COVID-19 outbreak to improvement. We hope the goal of an advanced Indonesia will soon be realized,” said the Minister.

“Amid the pandemic, keep implementing health protocols, welcome the new year with humility and gratitude, keep distance, use a face mask, and wash your hands regularly,” Fachrul said. (Ministry of Religious Affair / EN)

Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas