Surabaya – Global Engagement of Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Surabaya (GENUS) held halal bihalal activities with Unusa foreign students in the Genus room (24/4). This activity was attended by the Rector of Unusa, the deans, heads of study programs and ambassadors for each faculty.
Unusa has foreign students from Timor Leste, the Philippines and Malaysia. This activity also introduces Indonesian culture of halal bihalal and eating ketupat.
Van, a PGSD study program student from the Philippines, shared his story of fasting during Ramadan and celebrating Eid al-Fitr for the first time in Indonesia. Being away from his family makes Van sad, but at the same time happy because he has gained valuable experience. Apart from that, Van also remembered his fellow brothers and sisters in Palestine who fasted and celebrated holidays amidst the instability of their country.
Yunia, a Nutrition study program student from Timor Leste, shared the story of her activities of seeking ta’jil every afternoon at the mosque near her boarding house. “I left the boarding house at 4 in the afternoon and looked for ta’jil at the mosque, in Timor Leste it was quiet, I only listened to the call to prayer on my cellphone or the alarm.”
Rector said that this was a good activity and could be held every year. (kim/admin)