VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Religious Attache of the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Jakarta, Syaikh Ahmad bin Isa Al Hazimi during the ceremony (Archive) -

VOInews, Jakarta : The Saudi Arabian government distributed 1,000 iftar packages and dates to the people at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on Tuesday (12/3). Religious Attache of the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Jakarta, Syaikh Ahmad bin Isa Al Hazimi, representing the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Indonesia, expressed his gratitude for this distribution. He hoped the iftar packages and dates could bring closer relations between Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.

“...I'm at Istiqlal Mosque today to represent King Salman in the fast-breaking and date gift program. We are certainly very grateful for this program, which can make the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Indonesian government closer together”, Syaikh Ahmad bin Isa Al Hazimi said.

On the occasion, Shaikh Ahmad symbolically handed over packages to representatives of the Istiqlal Mosque and the mosque congregation. Saudi Arabia, through its Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Da'wah, and Guidance, donated around 40,000 boxes of iftar packages, 20 tons of dates, and 50,000 copies of the Koran to various locations across Indonesia. On a separate occasion, Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque, K.H. Nasaruddin Umar thanked Saudi Arabia for providing iftar and date packages to the mosque//VOI-Rama

One of arch enemy's poster album (archive) - 

VOInews, Jakarta : The Arch Enemy “Decievers” Asia Tour concluded in the city of Jakarta, Indonesia on May 23 2024 at Peruri City Park Blok M South Jakarta.

For your information, Arch Enemy is a Swedish melodic death metal band, originally a supergroup from Halmstad, formed in 1995. 

This event is promising a thrilling night for Indonesian metal heads, seeing the euphoria of the trail digital from one of the most influential bands in the metal genre featuring live performances as a headliner at the Hellfest festival and loud music events other prestigious ones, there are quite convincing testimonials that are very positive. 

An offering from 1011 Media, Stayounxfest and Noxafest for the connoisseur community Indonesian loud music, an event that promises a metal music concert experience memorable as the closing of their series of tours in 16 cities in 7 Asian countries, all at once closing a series of loud music concerts in May for metal heads Indonesia.

The band Arch Enemy's decision to end their tour in Jakarta shows that this city is considered one of the centers for the development of metal music in Asia. 

"We are very excited to bring Arch Enemy 'Deceivers' Asia Tour to Jakarta, where this concert is as well as closing their tour. So we should be required to make this tour not only impressive for metalheads, but it must also be impressive for Arch Enemy itself " said Frans Silalahi, CEO of 1011 Media & Stayounx fest. 

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Wedensday (13/03/24), Arch Enemy's presence on the stage will also be enlivened by local bands such as Burger Kill, Noxa, Konfliktion, Straightout, Modern Guns and Ejakula La Vampira. 

"We here (Stayounx fest and Noxa fest) are trying to bring the spirit of the community to community, therefore we are trying to sell tickets for this AE show with ticket prices which we hope can be reached by all metal lovers in particular" Ade, CEO of
Noxa fest said//VOI

Torchlight parade to welcomes Ramadan in several parts of Indonesia (Photo : Archive) - 

VOInews, Banda Aceh : The holy month of Ramadan is getting closer and all Muslims in various parts of the world are starting to prepare themselves to welcome it.

The various cultures and tribes in Indonesia have resulted in the emergence of various traditions of welcoming Ramadan in each region with their own characteristics. The tradition of welcoming Ramadan is passed down from generation to generation as an effort to preserve culture and customs.

This tradition certainly has a deep meaning which aims to purify oneself, forgive each other, pray for each other and build friendship in welcoming the holy month.

In Aceh there is a tradition called Meugang. This tradition is to welcoming Ramadan in Aceh. It has been embedded in the lives of the people of Aceh since the time of the Aceh Darussalam kingdom, lasting since the 14th century.

The meugang tradition is an activity of cooking beef, goat or buffalo in each house the day before the month of Ramadan begins. This meat dish is enjoyed by all family members, relatives, even orphans together.

Traditions are not only carried out when welcoming the month of Ramadan but also when welcoming Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr. This aims to strengthen relationships between people through important religious moments.

Meanwhile in West Sumatera there is Malamang tradition. A unique tradition of welcoming the month of Ramadan in West Sumatra is called Malamang. The community together makes traditional food, namely lemang, with great joy. This tradition aims to maintain the value of togetherness in Minangkabau society with simple activities.

Marpangir in North Sumatra, a unique tradition in North Sumatra in welcoming the month of Ramadan is called Marpangir. Activities that involve traditional bathing where the water is mixed with leaves or spices, such as pandan leaves, lemongrass leaves, kaffir lime, flowers, ylang-ylang, lime leaves, vetiver and areca nut flowers as a fragrance ingredient. This tradition is carried out by the people of North Sumatra as a form of self-cleaning before welcoming the month of Ramadan.

Cucurak in West Java, in Sundanese means having fun and gathering with family to welcome the month of Ramadan. Cucurak is done by gathering with the family and eating together using banana leaves while sitting on the floor. The menu served is liwet rice, tempeh, salted fish as well as chili sauce and fresh vegetables. This tradition is a form of invitation to give thanks to each other for the blessings and sustenance given by God.

Padusan in Yogyakarta, welcoming Ramadhan, the people of Yogyakarta do Padusan. In Javanese, padusan comes from the word "adus" which means bathing. This tradition is carried out by soaking or bathing in wells or springs. Padusan is an effort to purify oneself, cleanse the body and soul in welcoming the holy month of Ramadan. This tradition is also an effort to self-introspection about mistakes that have been made so that carrying out worship is calmer.

Nyorog in Jakarta, the Betawi tribe or indigenous people of Jakarta preserve many of their traditions such as the Nyorog tradition. This tradition takes the form of giving or sending food parcels to older family members, such as parents or in-laws who live in different houses or to elder figures in the local area. These gifts can include sugar, coffee milk, rice, meat or various other raw food ingredients. This has more meaning than just sharing food, but also as a form of respect for elders and establishing friendship to strengthen ties of brotherhood between people.

Torch parade in Palembang, ahead of Ramadan, hundreds of students carry out a torch relay to joyfully welcome the holy month of Ramadan. The torch relay is carried out by going around the village together carrying torches and chanting prayers at night. When hundreds of students carry out a torchlight parade at night with prayers and blessings, it indicates that the holy month of Ramadan is getting closer. In this activity, the enthusiasm of the community was also great by watching the unique tradition of the torch relay before Ramadan//ANTARA-VOI

Rice stocks at the BULOG warehouse (Photo : BULOG) - 

VOInews, Jakarta : The government has assured that the nation has sufficient rice stocks to meet demand during March, April, and May this year so people need not worry about rice shortage during Ramadan and the Idul Fitri holiday.

"Insya Allah (God willing), our national rice stocks for March, April, and May remain safe," Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said in a press statement issued by his ministry here on Saturday.

To meet the demand in June, preparation for rice planting will need to be carried out from March. At least three million hectares of land will need to be prepared for rice planting to secure three months' rice stocks, the minister informed.

"We must plant rice on at least one million hectares of land per month to produce 3.0 to 3.5 million tons of rice, while our monthly rice demand is recorded only at some 2.5 million tons," he expounded.

If this scenario works, Indonesia will get a rice surplus, he said, adding that domestic rice production will hopefully help lower rice prices significantly.

"This March, the rice prices definitely go down. I guarantee that the rice prices are safe during the holy month of Ramadan, the Idul Fitri holiday season, and two months after Idul Fitri," he said.

Meanwhile, supply chain and public service director at the State Logistics Agency (Bulog), Mokhamad Suyamto, said that the government's rice reserves remain sufficient to meet demand during Ramadan and Idul Fitri.

"The availability of the government's rice reserves is currently recorded at 1.4 million tons, and the remaining quota of this year's rice import is recorded at 1.5 million tons. So, the stocks are sufficient," he explained.

ANTARA reported earlier that Bulog president director Bayu Krisnamurthi also assured of sufficient rice stocks to fulfill people's needs, especially ahead of Ramadan and the Idul Fitri holiday.

He informed that Bulog is routinely distributing rice via several channels, namely the Rice Food Assistance Program and the Stabilization of Food Supply and Prices (SPHP) Program, to meet people's requirements//ANTARA-VOI