JAKARTA — Apart from being a momentum for fasting, the holy month of Ramadan is also a gathering place for Muslims. For this reason, Dompet Dhuafa through Dompet Dhuafa Volunteer (DDV) together with the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government and the Association of Indonesian Catering Organisers (PPJI) DKI Jakarta organised an iftar event with 1000 orphans, dhuafa, disabilities, and memorisers of the Qur’an, who came from various foundations in Jabodetabek on Sunday (24/3/2024).
Also present were guest stars who enlivened the event entitled ‘REMEMBER: Ramadan Closer 1445 H”, including RCTI and Indosiar National Dai, Abdul Ihsan Jamaluddin, Film Actor and Paralympic Athlete, Aldifi Tegar, Hafiz Al-Qur’an, Topan Cuping, and musician Kojek Rap Betawi. In addition, there were also 500 volunteers, collaborators, and guests who enlivened the breakfasting event at Mandira Ballroom, Sasana Kriya, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), East Jakarta.
REMEMBER was opened by the Nusantara Children’s Art Competition from representatives of orphanages, dhuafa, disability, and Al-Qur’an memorisation foundations. Then move on to the welcome session from the Chairman of the Dompet Dhuafa Republika Foundation (YDDR), Chairperson of DPD PPJI Siti Djumiadini, and Head of the DKI Jakarta National Unity and Politics Agency (Kesbangpol).
Ahmad Juwaini appreciated many parties, especially the volunteers who had dedicated their time and energy to share happiness with 1000 orphans, dhuafa, disabilities, and hafiz. On the same occasion, Ahmad Juwaini also congratulated the 14th anniversary of the establishment of Dompet Dhuafa Volunteer (DDV), which has now reached 21 thousand members throughout Indonesia.
‘This is a responsibility to the public that Dompet Dhuafa is open to working with anyone to share goodness. Hopefully the event will run smoothly and festively, bringing blessings to the children, volunteers, and guests present today,’ said the man who is familiarly called Pak AJ.
Siti Djumiadini, who is usually called Bu Dini, did not expect to receive full support from the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government, from the venue to the consumption at the event. She hopes this event will bring blessings, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
‘I am very touched, all parties are very supportive of this event. Hopefully it will be a blessing and PPJI will be increasingly recognised by many people,’ said Dini.
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After the welcome session, they also greeted DDV members who were breaking the fast with orphans at various points in Indonesia, from Aceh to Papua through the Zoom online platform. The event continued with the recitation of the holy Qur’an from Topan Cuping and a talk show session with Aldifi Tegar. While waiting for the Maghrib call to prayer, the children listened to Abdul Ihsan Jamaluddin’s cultum with enthusiasm.
The main event of REMEMBER arrived, which was breaking the fast together. Kojek Rap Betawi musicians performed while accompanying 1000 orphans, dhuafa, disabled, and hafiz children to break their fast solemnly and cheerfully. After breaking the fast together, the performance was continued by Marge Band as the closing event of the evening. Before returning home, the children received various gifts from collaborator partners and cash donations.
Volunteer Management Specialist from DDV, Fajar Firmansyah, said that the preparation for the event lasted for two months with a work duration of three weeks. He and his team invited as many as 20 foundations from Jabodetabek. DDV itself mobilised around 200 members on that day.
‘My team and I are grateful to have been trusted to manage such a great event with partners from various professions such as doctors, architects, government and many more. Not only that, we also want to give their childhood meaning. Through music too, here we present children’s songs that are specifically for children. Not adult songs sung by children,’ said Fajar.
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Last year, Dompet Dhuafa also held an iftar event with REMEMBER: Ramadan Closer 1444 H with 700 orphans and poor people. Ahmad Juwaini stated that Dompet Dhuafa will hold an iftar event with more orphans and poor people next year.
‘Hopefully we can invite more orphans and poor people. If possible, the number will be increased by another 30 per cent,’ he concluded. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text & Photo: Hany Fatihah Ahmad
Editor: Dhika Prabowo