Page 40 - Warta USK April 2022

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Living in Banda Aceh

During Ramadan

s a nonmuslim who has lived in a this point, the streets are always jammed;
muslim majority country for my many people are always out of their houses.
entire life (The Gambia), Ramadan I remember last Ramadan, one of my friends
has become a season that I am invited me to buka puasa (breaking fast) with
Aused to seeing muslims practicing the peace generation in Aceh Association in
in every season of the year. However, my a coffee shop. There were a lot of people over
experience as a nonmuslim living in Banda there, so we all gathered as one big family to
Therese Aceh so far has been an amazing journey. For eat, talk, and snap pictures. My friend gave
muslims, Ramadan is the holy month of fasting
me a full explanation of Ramadan in Aceh,
including how they enjoy eating in groups with
and prayer that brings them closer to God.
Mendy Living in Aceh currently, I have experienced their families and friends because breaking
a lot during Ramadan in Banda Aceh. A day
the fast together fosters a sense of community
before Ramadan, in Banda Aceh, there is a
and togetherness among them, and it is
a time when friends and family bonds are
tradition known as meugang, in which people
buy a large amount of cow meat and then
fun, and I was blown away by their friendliness
cook and eat it with their family, friends, and strengthened. Which was very pleasant and
Date & Place of Birth: neighbours in celebration of the month of and kindness. It was also one of the most
April 1 1998, Serekunda (The Ramadan. memorable Ramadan experiences I had in
st
Gambia) Every day, between 4 and 5 p.m., there are Banda Aceh.
Origin: The Gambia people who sell a lot of food on the street for Giving alms is also a way of life in Banda
Status: International Student at iftar. In Darussalam, several types of food are Aceh, especially during Ramadan. Since my
Universitas Syiah Kuala, sold on the street, and people will come to first Ramadan here, I’ve seen many individuals
Political Science. buy them to break their fast. I will occasionally send gifts such as rice, sugar, money, and a
Email: theresemendy618@gmail.com go out and buy food before they break their variety of other items for all of the students
fast and eat with my muslim friends in the living in the dormitory, and I’ve also seen
ACHIEVEMENTS dormitory. Breaking fast was also a really people hand out meals to those who are fasting
pleasant experience I had in Banda Aceh, before breaking their fast to passers-by.
• 2018 - Senior Secondary School and it was probably the most transformative According to one of my muslim friends, the
Certificate. experience. When it comes to breaking the majority of the people I’ve seen offer these
• 2019 - International Student at fast-during Ramadan, the entire coffee shop gifts are people who want to spend their
Universitas Syiah Kuala. and eating establishment will be packed with money to bring joy and happiness to others,
people. It’s like a tradition when Ramadan particularly during Ramadan. I consider myself
• 2021 - Ambassador of the 1 blue arrives. They will be able to break their fast extremely fortunate to have experienced all of
st
sky Ambassador (Korea). together with family and friends. And at these during the month of Ramadan. []

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