IPB University Lecturers Celebrate Eid-ul-Adha in South Korea and Austria
One of IPB University lecturers from the Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Elis Khatizah, SSi, MSi, celebrated Eid al-Adha this year in Seoul, South Korea. She recounted the celebration of Islamic holidays in Seoul.
“When I was living in a neighbourhood near the campus, Eid here was just like any other day, I didn’t feel the Eid atmosphere. But after moving and living near the Seoul Grand Mosque, the vibes during Eid and fasting are more pronounced because relatively many residents around the mosque are Muslim foreigners,” she said.
Elis performed the Eid prayer at the Seoul Grand Mosque or often called Itaewon Mosque. She said that during Eid at the Great Mosque of Seoul, there is no food event like at the Indonesian Embassy, but in the area around the mosque there are several Middle Eastern restaurants that serve sweet snacks or free coffee so that the congregation can enjoy after the Eid prayer.
Interestingly, a Korean elementary school located not far from the mosque offers its Muslim students to register for after-school learning activities during Eid and Eid al-Adha.
“So during Eid, the students are not counted as absent, but counted as permission to study outside the school. It’s just that there is a kind of registration first for students who want permission, and submit a written report when they come back to school,” said Elis.
A memorable moment for her was being able to meet Muslims from various countries while performing Eid prayers at the Seoul Grand Mosque.
“You don’t have to go to Umrah to see the different races of Muslims from abroad, here I can see Allah’s creation which is really diverse, but we are all Muslims,” she said.
In South Korea, activities that involve large crowds are something that draws the attention of the authorities. Even during the Eid prayer, there are police on duty to organise security and traffic. Elis emphasises that this is not to frighten us, but as a form of care for us.
Another story was shared by Lukmanul Hakim Zaini, SHut, MSc, a lecturer at IPB University in the Department of Forest Products Technology (THH), Faculty of Forestry and Environment.
(Fahutan) who is currently undergoing a study assignment in Vienna, Austria.
Since 2021, he admits that he has always celebrated Islamic holidays, including Eid al-Adha at the Indonesian Embassy. In Vienna, there is an Indonesian Muslim community called Warga Pengajian Austria (Wapena). In 2023, this community had its own mosque, the As Salam Wapena Mosque, as a centre of worship and other Islamic activities.
“If there is a weekly event or during Ramadan, many activities are carried out at the mosque. But for Eid prayer, we hold it at the Indonesian Embassy,” said Lukman, who in 2022 served as chairman of the Indonesian Student Association (PPI) Austria.
Unlike Eid in Indonesia, Eid al-Adha in Austria does not feel so lively. However, according to Lukman, the atmosphere of Eid-ul-Adha can be felt again when meeting fellow Indonesians at the Indonesian Embassy.
One of the things that impressed him was, “On a daily basis, we rarely hear dhikr and takbir in Austria, but during Eid-ul-Adha at the Indonesian Embassy, these things can be heard again.”
Another difference is that the slaughtering of sacrificial animals in Austria has to be done in slaughterhouses. Muslims in Austria can collect the money from mosques, then the mosque will slaughter the animals at a standardised slaughterhouse in Austria.
“But for As Salam Wapena Mosque, the mosque only collects the money, and it will be sent to Indonesia to be performed in Indonesia,” said Solehudin.
Fortunately, this year’s Eid-ul-Adha in Austria coincided with a Sunday, so that after the Eid prayer, Indonesian Muslims could gather at the Indonesian Embassy.
“Alhamdulillah, we can enjoy Eid-ul-Adha after the Eid prayer because it coincides with Sunday. Indonesian Muslims can also stay in touch and eat ketupat to celebrate Eid in Austria,” he concluded. (Fatin/Rz) (IAAS/RUM)
