Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) held a religious study session and iftar together at the residence of UMS Rector, Prof. Dr. Sofyan Anif, M.Si., in the Laweyan area on Friday, April 5th.
Previously, Sofyan Anif expressed gratitude to 60 international students and 60 children from the Muhammadiyah Orphanage Family (PAKYM) in Surakarta.
“the number of foreign students invited is 60 and from PAKYM Surakarta is also 60 people,” he added.
UMS Rector conveyed that such activities have been frequently conducted by UMS for several years during Ramadan or Eid al-Fitr.
In the religious study session led directly by UMS Rector, it was stated that in Islam there is an obligation to worship Allah SWT, one of which is fasting. The goal is to strengthen faith, build character, or to build the character of someone who fasts has a noble character.
In the midst of the event, Sofyan also interacted directly with foreign students, how they felt during lectures at UMS. Then students from each country expressed their feelings, starting from their favorite foods, impressions while living in Indonesia, favorite lecturers, and so on.
“In Islam, we are encouraged to appreciate various differences, including one of them appreciating religion. It is not allowed when doing good deeds only to others, but for all. So we also do not differentiate, foreign students from what religion to participate in this activity,” he said firmly.
After the presentation of the study and interactive discussion with the participants, the event continued with the Maghrib prayer and breaking the fast together.
One master’s student from East Africa, Roger from Madagascar, expressed his pride in being directly invited by the UMS Rector.
“I, as a non-Muslim student, am very happy and enjoy this event, because the Rector can be closer to us,” said the UMS Master of Chemistry student.
Roger from East Africa even consumed two servings of compote because he really liked it.
The Secretary of the UMS Rector, Prof. Dr. Anam Sutopo, added that the foreign students participating in this event are students from India, Thailand, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Uganda, Yemen, Madagascar, Turkmenistan, Fiji and so on.
source : umsnews
