Sahur Serumpun Malaysia-Indonesia di Kolej Kediaman Ungku Aziz

The Star-5 Oktober 2007 (m/s 10)

Sahur together at UM

By LOONG MENG YEE
PETALING JAYA: Some 200 local and international students at Universiti Malaya (UM) took part in the first ever sahur serumpun where non-Muslims joined their Muslims friends at the pre-dawn meal ahead of the fasting hours.
The occasion held at UM's Ungku Abdul Aziz Residential College yesterday is a loose version of the same kind of event in Indonesia where churches prepare sahur meals for Muslims.
In Indonesia, such sahur events, promoted by a group called Positive Movement, helps build inter-faith ties and community relations.
UM was chosen instead of a church because the organising team did not want to offend any parties.
One of Positive Movement’s founder Inayah Wulandari, 23, flew from Indonesia to join the sahur here on Wednesday morning at UM.
She is the youngest daughter of former president Abdurrahman Wahid. She and her friends from Positive Movement had earlier invited some Malaysian youth leaders from UM to hold the sahur serumpun event.
The original intention was to have the sahur at UM and the Grand Cathedral in Jakarta linked via tele-conferencing.
However, the tele-conferencing plan fell through due to technical problems and Inayah flew here instead.
“The whole idea is to promote community building, strengthen the bond between different races and celebrate the friendship between two countries,” said Inayah.
Among those who attended the sahur was residential college head Dr Abdul Jalil Othman and Indonesian attache Imran Hanafi.
Dr Abdul Jalil said the college was home to international students from 23 countries, including China and Indonesia.
Islamic Studies undergraduate Wan Mohd Wasif said such an “open” event was good as it allowed non -Muslims a chance to know why Muslims partake in sahur.
“It is good to know each other’s customs and religious beliefs. We can build inter-racial bridges.
“For instance, mooncakes are delicious to me,” he said.