UNDIP, Semarang (26/2) – To welcome the holy month of Ramadan 1447 H, Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) organized a Tarawih Silaturahim (Tarhim) event for lecturers and education staff at the Muladi Dome on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, after Maghrib prayer. The program aims to strengthen the faith of the UNDIP community during the fasting month and enhance synergy and togetherness through social bonding (silaturahmi). The Rector of UNDIP, the Chair of the Board of Trustees, and the Chair of the Academic Senate served as hosts of the Tarhim event. UNDIP invited Prof. Dr. Ahmad Rofiq, M.A., Chair of the Central Java Regional Leadership of the Indonesian Mosque Council, as the speaker.
The Rector of UNDIP, Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., on behalf of the Chair of the Academic Senate, Prof. Ir. Tri Winarni Agustini, M.Sc., Ph.D., and the Chair of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Mohamad Nasir, M.Si., Akt., Ph.D., welcomed the UNDIP community attending the Tarhim event.
“Alhamdulillah, the imam for tonight’s Tarawih prayer is a student from the Faculty of Engineering, Abdurrahman Fawwaz, who won second place in the 2025 National Student MTQ (Qur’an Recitation Competition), Tahfidz of 20 Juz,” he stated at the beginning of his remarks.
Prof. Suharnomo encouraged UNDIP lecturers and education staff to remain dedicated to delivering public services and to work with joy, as work is considered an act of worship.
In his sermon, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Rofiq, M.A., expressed admiration for Prince Diponegoro’s role in spreading Islam. He conveyed the message, “May the spirit of Prince Diponegoro’s struggle accompany the UNDIP community. Let us return to our natural disposition (fitrah). It is narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: Whoever fasts during Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And whoever performs night prayers during Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward will have his past sins forgiven.”
He further explained, “Every deed of the children of Adam is for themselves except fasting, whose reward is determined directly by Allah. Fasting tests honesty, so avoid speaking indecently—if one cannot do so, it is better to remain silent. During Ramadan, we do not merely abstain physically but also control our hearts and minds. Let us elevate the quality of our fasting.”
The word Ramadan itself originates from the Arabic ramiḍa or ar-ramad, meaning scorching heat, symbolizing a month that burns away sins through acts of worship.
It is also narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Indeed, the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is more fragrant in the sight of Allah than the scent of musk.” Thus, Allah honors the signs of His servants’ worship. Fasting during Ramadan is a direct command from Allah, prescribed by the Prophet Muhammad in Medina. It is one of the pillars of Islam that every capable Muslim must observe.
The Tarhim event at UNDIP, therefore, served as a momentum to ignite enthusiasm in performing acts of worship during the fasting month while purifying the heart. The event concluded with social interaction among staff members and handshakes, welcoming Ramadan with pure hearts. (Public Communication/UNDIP/Titis)