It has been a part of the Indonesian tradition for having Halal Bihalal as the celebration of Eid Al-Fitr 1441 H. Therefore, due to pandemic, UGM held the Halal Bihalal tradition online on Tuesday (5/26) morning. This meeting was conducted through the Google Meet platform, which was attended by the ranks of the Chancellor, deans, section heads, DGB, MWA, Tendik, lecturers, and UGM students. Besides, this meeting was also set to public, and it broadcasted via the UGM Youtube channel so that the whole UGM family could watch it.
The Chancellor of UGM, Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M. Eng., D. Eng., IPU, ASEAN Eng, congratulated Idul Fitri 1441 H to all Muslims in Indonesia as well as UGM extended families that were watching from their respective residences. He conveyed his apology representing the leadership ranks to all UGM extended families. "During the past year undergoing official duties and in the association, there must be mistakes both in saying and behavior," he said.
Panut said that the celebration of Eid this time must be held differently from previous years due to the condition of the Covid-19 pandemic. Even so, he invited the UGM extended family to remain grateful because they were still blessed with health and safety so that they could attend and look happy in this event.
Panut also mentioned current technological advances could also remedy the distance constraints caused by the prohibition of going home during the pandemic. "Like the implementation of this Syawalan, although some of us cannot return home, of course, we can still stay in touch online with the family at home," he said.
Finally, Panut said that the existence of this pandemic is increasingly connecting and uniting all parties. Besides, he also noted that Covid-19 also enhanced creativity. According to him, this is a good capital for the community to move forward.
"With this new spirit of Eid celebrations, let us work together to solve the country's problems so that this pandemic may soon be over, and we will no longer fill with longing," he concluded.
On this occasion, there are also delivered remarks from representatives of instructional staff by Aminudin Arhab, a representative from the lecturer by Dr. Jamhari, and the wisdom of Syawalan by drh. H. Agung Budiyanto. Ph.D.
Author: Hakam
Photo: Firsto
Translator: Natasa A