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Constitutional Court holding a halal bi halal event for Idul Fitri 1441 AH through video conference on Thursday (28/5) at the Constitutional Court. Photo by Humas MK/Gani.

JAKARTA, Public Relations of the Constitutional Court—The Constitutional Court’s staff held a halalbihalal event for Idul Fitri 1441 AH on Thursday (28/5/2020). This year’s halalbihalal event set precedence as it was organized amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The event took place at the 11^th floord of the Constitutional Court building through video conference using the Zoom software. It was attended by Chief Constitutional Justice Anwar Usman, Deputy Chief Constitutional Justice Aswanto, Constitutional Justices Manahan M. P. Sitompul and Daniel Yusmic Foekh, Secretary General M. Guntur Hamzah, Chief Registrar Muhidin, and echelon officials of the Constitutional Court. Constitutional Justices Arief Hidayat, Enny Nurbaningsih, and Saldi Isra, as well as Ethics Council Chairman Bintan Regen Saragih, Members Ahmad Syafii Maarif and Achmad Sodiki, as well as Constitutional Court staff attended remotely. 

“Although this [year’s] halalbihalal [event] took place differently [from the past] through Zoom [application], this does not lessen our gratitude and sincerity in welcoming the welcome Victory Day, Eid al-Fitr 1441 AH and [we remain able to keep in touch],” said Chief Constitutional Justice Anwar Usman in his remarks. He added that this tradition is typical of the Indonesian Muslim community and has been passed down on and become a culture that serves to strengthen relationship among the people.

“In relation to our great national life, this culture is a unifying medium for the nation’s generations,” he said.

He added that the traditions of silaturahim (to keep in touch) and sungkem (respectful greeting to elders) were practiced during the old kingdoms of Java. However, at the time, the term halalbihalal didn’t exist yet. “The term halalbihalal was initiate by K. H. Abdul Wahab Hasbullah, one of the pioneers of the Nahdlatul Ulama organization. One of the objectives of halalbihalal is to unite political figures who often had different opinions at the time,” Justice Anwar said.

This year’s halalbihalal event was very different from the previous years, where people used to meet in person, exchange greetings, and forgive each other. “Right now, the halalbihalal event is done virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, not only in Indonesia, but also in many countries,” he said. 

Tawakkul and Pure Heart

In the halalbihalal event, the Constitutional Court presented Ustad (Islamic scholar) Adian Husaini, who talked about "Going towards a New Normal with Tawakkul and a Pure Heart" virtually. He urged everyone to welcome the New Normal with tawakkul (resignation, trust in God’s plan).

"[Tawakkul] is indeed important. It is the key to victory. In Islam, one who is tawakkul is guaranteed by Allah SWT. Tawakkul is to resign but to trust that Allah SWT will help us," Adian said. He added that Prophet Muhammad SAW once corrected a companion about the meaning of tawakkul. The Prophet’s companion left his camel in front of a mosque without tying it. The Prophet asked him to tie the camel and then be tawakkul. "[You must make] an effort because endeavor is an Islamic mandatory aspect," he said. 

Adian said of the importance of a pure heart to welcome the New Normal by quoting the lyrics to the “Indonesia Raya” (Great Indonesia) national anthem In body, in spirit, let them all arise. “The spirit will win [and] be successful if one has a pure heart [and] spirit. One will be wretched [and] crumble if one ruins their spirit. This national spirit is very important,” he added. (Nano Tresna Arfana/NRA)

Translated by: Yuniar Widiastuti

Translation uploaded on 06/04/2020

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