LP2M holds webinar on fasting traditions

Ciputat, UIN News Online – Insitute for research and community services (LP2M) UIN Jakarta holds international webinar entitled ‘Fasting Traditions: The Comparative Religion Perspective’ in Monday (05/18/2020) through zoom platform.

Moderated by the head of LP2M Jajang Jahroni and the Head of CIC UIN Jakarta Dadi Darmadi, the webinar presents M Shamsi Ali (USA), Ismail Latif Hacinebioglu (Turkey), Rabbi Bob Kaplan (USA), Anne K. Rasmussen (USA), Hamid Slimi (Canada), Guru Dileepkumar Thankappan (USA), Hans Harmakaputra (USA), Andi Faisal Bakti, MA (Indonesia), and Suparto (Indonesia) as speakers. Also present in the webinar, Rector of UIN Jakarta Amany Lubis.

Rector in her remarks said that fasting traditions is a valuable provision for humanity to respect diversity. “Fasting has always been considered as means of purification of the soul. In addition, fasting can also be used as a means to foster a sense of empathy for fellow human beings,” said Rector.

In line with the Rector, Guru Dileepkumar Thankappan from the USA also said that in the yogic tradition, fasting also considered as means of purification of the soul and body. “Fasting may also help you gain sensitivity and intuition,” he said

Meanwhile, Andi Faisal Bakti from UIN Jakarta said that fasting is one of the important teachings in Islam. Fasting itself has a number of functions for Muslim communities.

“And an important goal to be achieved through fasting is the degree of piety called muttaqin,” he said. (usa)