The social dimension of Ramadan: Asking for forgiveness

malay muslim grandson in traditional costume showing apologize gesture to his grandfather during Aidilfitri celebration  malay family at home celebrating hari raya

Is asking for forgiveness part of cultural or religious aspect of during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr? Credit: Edwin Tan/Getty Images

It is a customary for Indonesian Moslems to seek forgiveness before they start Ramadhan. Is there such a teaching in Islam?


Prof. Nadirsyah Hosen, a leading Islamic scholar and Deputy Associate Dean (International) at Monash University's Faculty of Law, offered his insights on Islam in Indonesia.

He explained to SBS Indonesian that the religion takes on two key dimensions in the country: the ritual and the social.

This social aspect, particularly evident during Ramadan, is something unique to Indonesian Moslem communities.


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