Parahyangan Catholic University (UNPAR) held a Silaturahim (gathering) and Halal Bi Halal (asking for forgiveness) on 12 Syawal 1436 Hijriyah (Islamic year) (28/7) at the Hall of the Faculty of Economics, Building 9 on the 8th floor. In addition to Parahyangan Catholic University’s scientific community, retired UNPAR employees, partners and other parties involved in cooperation with UNPAR were also invited. Those parties are the media, police and schools. The Tausyiah (Islamic Religious preaching) was conveyed by Professor Bambang Suryoatmono, Ph.D. and opened and closed by the performances of the Nasyid vocal group Hawari.
This Halal Bi Halal event is highly relevant to the spirituality of Parahyangan Catholic University. All Parahyangan Catholic University scientific communities are committed to living in diversity and be responsible for the preservation of nature originating from the spirit of compassion for the truth. This event is routinely held every Idul Fitri (Eid Mubarak) within Parahyangan Catholic University, is an embodiment of the development and maintenance of solidarity and fraternity in UNPAR’s scientific community.
In his speech, Mangadar Situmorang, Ph.D. (the Rector of Parahyangan Catholic University) stated that Idul Fitri is not merely a socio-cultural event but also a spiritual or religious one. This understanding should always be internalized. In his opinion Idul Fitri (Eid Mubarak) is also a time for gratitude, especially after a full month of struggle in reinforcing our faith and piety. He went on to wish the UNPAR scientific community and all guests a happy Eid Mubarak.
The event was also attended by the general secretary of the UNPAR foundation, Father Hendar Kimawan, OSC., L.Th. in his remarks, he conveyed an SMS he received “what is short is time, what is close by is death, what is big is lust, what is heavy is anger, what is difficult is ikhlas (sincere), what is easy is to commit sin, but the beauty is to be willing to forgive each other” he went further and stated that human being cannot avoid making fault therefore it would be better if asking for forgiveness profoundly like this occurs every moment, and not only once a year.
Professor Bambang Suryoatmono, Ph.D. in his Tausyiah conveyed six of the many virtues of Ramadhan (fasting month). Those six virtues are: sabar (patient), ikhlas (sincere), syukur (gratitude), sederhana (Modest) and pemaaf (merciful). In addition to the Tausyiah, a group dynamics activity discussing the virtues of Ramadhan was also held. There were four additional virtues of Ramadhan discussed in the group dynamics, namely: Zakat (donation), toleran (tolerance), bersih (cleanliness), and bijak (wisdom). From the ten virtues each groups were then asked to share experiences and formulate them into words of wisdom.
