Ramadan is a month filled with blessings and togetherness. Beyond being a time to enhance worship, it is also a golden opportunity to strengthen social bonds. On Friday, March 20, 2025, the Faculty of Agriculture at UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta organized an iftar gathering at the Faculty of Agriculture Dean’s Lobby. The event was attended by the entire Faculty community, including the Dean, Vice Dean I, Vice Dean II, Vice Dean III, lecturers of the Faculty of Agriculture, retired lecturers, academic staff, retired academic staff, and representatives of student organizations.

The event began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an, followed by welcoming remarks from Dr. Ir. Budi Widayanto, M.Si., Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, and Ahmad Rif’an Khoirul Lisan, S.Si., M.S., Head of the Al-Ukhuwah Prayer Room Management Committee. The main session featured a religious lecture by Isnan Hidayat, M.Psi., on “Finding Clarity through Islamic Psychology: The Importance of Mental Health During Fasting.”

According to Mr. Isnan, fasting is a moment to cleanse sins and the ailments of the heart. Just like an unclean body is prone to illness, a tainted heart must also be cleansed to heal and regain clarity. This purification process elevates a person toward the highest level of reward from Allah SWT. The simplest indicator of good mental health, he explained, can be observed upon waking up in the morning—feeling happy and energized reflects a healthy mental state. Sleep, he noted, serves as a hormonal reset that balances our psychological condition. Fasting is a school of life that encourages self-reflection and self-improvement before mending relationships with others.

One of the key points he emphasized was inner peace, which stems from a grateful heart. The first step toward true happiness is gratitude for what we have, rather than constantly dwelling on what we have lost. He also highlighted the importance of nurturing the heart through daily practices, citing the example of a companion of the Prophet who was promised Paradise for his habit of forgiving others before sleeping and never envying others’ blessings. This, Mr. Isnan explained, reflects that true happiness comes from unconditional acceptance.

Following the lecture, the program continued with congregational Maghrib prayer, a communal meal, and congregational Isha and Tarawih prayers. The event served as a platform to strengthen ties between lecturers, academic staff, and students. While waiting for iftar, participants exchanged stories, experiences, and knowledge in a warm and familial atmosphere. The lecture delivered by Mr. Isnan also enriched the spiritual insight of the academic community. The Faculty hopes this activity will continue in future years, held more frequently, and not only during Ramadan. Regular Islamic studies are also encouraged to deepen spiritual understanding and faith. The spirit of togetherness and kinship should be maintained not only in Ramadan but in every step as members of the Faculty of Agriculture family at UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta. (Alamanda Team)