Nurturing Bonds, Thursina IIBS Hosts Iftar Gathering for Members of Faculty
In an effort to strengthen faculty camaraderie, Thursina International Islamic Boarding School (IIBS) hosted a Ramadhan lecture and iftar for all staff members on March 24. This event was meant to not only enhance relationships among staff but also to educate and foster their motivation to pray and worship during the holy month of Ramadhan.
Held in the Thursina IIBS Masjid, the gathering welcomed all faculty members, including teachers, educational staff, murabbi/murabbiyah, and household staff. On this occasion, Thursina IIBS invited the renowned preacher Habib Achmad Jamal bin Thoha Baagil, Chair of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Fatwa Committee of Batu City, to deliver the sermon. Habib Achmad began by urging the audience to express gratitude for the opportunity to experience Ramadhan this year
He emphasized that Ramadhan serves as a madrasah, offering a chance for individuals to overcome worldly desires. The month is uniquely positioned as a time to train ourselves against sins and immorality, as it is the only time when satans are restrained. However, he cautioned that we must remain vigilant against our greatest threats: our ego and desires. Fasting, he explained, teaches patience and helps us resist anger and negative emotions. A single month of Ramadhan can yield blessings that last for years. “For those of you who are not on good terms with friends and family, do not let this affect your Lailatul Qadar. Let’s cleanse our hearts to worship Allah in peace,” he advised.
Lailatul Qadar, one of Allah's greatest blessings during Ramadhan, is a night cherished and longed for by the Prophet’s closest companions and scholars. This night holds special significance as Allah grants multiplied rewards to Muslims who spend the night in worship and good deeds. The arrival of Lailatul Qadar remains a mystery to encourage Muslims to treat every night of Ramadhan as if it were this holy night.
"The glory of Lailatul Qadar is attained through worship; you also need to be careful to avoid sins and misdeeds, such as gossip, lust, or fighting with others. While worship can be challenging, it is even more difficult to abstain from immorality," he added.
During Ramadhan, the doors of the heavens are wide open, inviting us to fill our fasting days with Quran recitation and prayer. Habib Achmad also advised us to foster our longing for the blessed month of Ramadan. “Don’t wish for Ramadan to quickly go by because this month is a blessing from Allah. By wishing it to go by quickly, that means we are wishing God’s blessing to pass us quickly too,” he concluded.
On this occasion, Ustadz Ali Wahyudi, M.Pd., Chairman of Thursina IIBS, expressed heartfelt gratitude to all members of the faculty who have taken their time to attend this iftar, reminding them to maintain unity and sincerity in their work. “This school holiday is an excellent time for reflection and evaluation. There is no better time for self-evaluation than Ramadhan, so let us take advantage of this month to draw closer to Allah SWT," he emphasized.
As Maghrib approached, all faculty members gathered to break their fast and pray together. A routine event before the Eid Al-Fitr holiday aims to motivate the entire Thursina IIBS family to strengthen and deepen their faith, dedicating their Ramadhan to constant prayer and worship of Allah SWT with pure and clean hearts.