Showing posts with label Islam in Taiwan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Islam in Taiwan. Show all posts

18 July 2015

[Ramadhan Series] Lebaran Bersama Keluarga... di Taiwan ?

Pertama kalinya merasakan lebaran di Taiwan adalah tahun ini. Tahun dimana aku dan suami merayakan bersama, berdua. Tanpa orang tua, adik adik, dan keluarga besar. Apa daya namanya juga merantau di negeri orang, dimana lebaran tidak masuk katagori libur nasional. Agama apapun tak ada libur nya di Taiwan. Ingin sekali rasanya pulang ke Indonesia dan menikmati mudik ke rumah nenek bersama ibu bapak dan adik adik.

Sejak sebelum lebaran, kami sudah memberitahukan ke orang tua kami bahwa kami tak bisa pulang karena mas harus bekerja selepas shalat Idul Fitri. Iya benar sekali, hari Jumat lalu, kami shalat Idul Fitri di lapangan basket NCTU Hsinchu City Taiwan, dan pukul 8.30 suamiku berangkat ke kantor. Sedih sih ditinggal ke kantor tapi apa daya. Aku hanya bisa berharap dan merajuk supaya dia meminta ijin kepada bos nya untuk cuti setengah hari dan tidak kembali ke kantor pasca shalat jumat.

Awalnya orang tua ku baik baik saja kukabari kalau kami tidak bisa mudik. Bapak bahkan mengatakan kepadaku untuk bersabar karena masih berjuang di negeri orang. Tidak pulang tidak apa-apa. Toh saat Chinese New Year bisa pulang walaupun tahun depan. Tapi, saat hari H mudik lebaran tiba, ibuku menangis saar aku telepon dari Taiwan dan melihat wajahku via video call ke hape adikku. Bahkan ibu tidak mau melihatku saat itu. Hanya mau telepon biasa tanpa video. Sedih bukan main melihat orang tua ku menangis. Tapi, bisa dibilang wajar karena ini pertama kalinya aku tidak lebaran bersama ibu bapak dan adik adik, serta tidak ikut mudik sekeluarga ke Malang dan Solo, rumah nenek-nenek ku.


Sedih tidak bisa mudik ke Indonesia bukan berarti kami tidak bisa bersilaturahim ke keluarga. Bisa dibilang kami punya keluarga di Taiwan. Istilahnya sih mahasiswa kadaluwarsa hahaha Cukup banyak mahasiswa ataupun pekerja profesional seperti suami ku yang tidak pulang ke Indonesia saat lebaran begini dan kami merasakan hal yang sama. Seusai shalat Idul Fitri, ditinggal suami ngantor atau ngelab karena bos atauun prof mereka tidak tahu kalau hari Jumat lalu kami merayakan Hari Raya Idul Fitri. Jadi, ada dua orang teman yang usai shalat Idul Fitri main ke rumahku. Niat awalnya sih cuma sekadar berkunjung untuk melihat kamar yang aku dan suami ku sewa selama setahun ini karena salah seorang temanku (Mbak Miftah) sedang hamil dan ingin pindah apartemen bersama suaminya (Mas Hakim) yang saat itu sedang ngelab dan tidak bisa ikut. Dan seorang kawan lainnya (Mbak Eka) sudah memiliki 2 orang anak (Aqila dan Fayat) dan suami nya (Mas Prima) bekerja di perusahaan yang lokasinya persis di sebelah kantor suamiku, juga ikut datang. Memang dari dulu ingin main ke tempatku tapi selalu saja tidak sempat. Dan ini adalah waktu yang tepat. Suaminya diajak karena kebetulan bisa cuti.

Yang biasanya kamar sepi, suara cuma dari TV, ataupun kalau aku dan suami ngobrol saja, sekarang jadi ramai. haha Kamar berantakan langsung dibersihkan karena awalnya tidak ada niatan sama sekali mau berkunjung ke rumahku. Tapi, Alhamdulillah Mbak Miftah bilang kalau kamarnya rapi. ^__^

Ngobrol santai sampai sana sini mulai dari perkara rumah, hidup di Taiwan, sampai kapan pulang ke Indonesia jadi topik yang nyaman. Lebih Alhamdulillah lagi suamiku dapat ijin cuti setengah hari sehingga bisa pulang ke rumah pasca jumatan. Aqila dan fayat pun senang bermain di rumahku sampai akhirnya ketiduran karena capek bermain, Ibunya ikut-ikut tidur saat para suami jumatan. haha

Sekitar pukul 5 sore, semuanya pulang karena malamnya kami akan bergantian ke rumah Mbak Eka dan Mas Prima. Mereka bilang ada es buah. Lumayan juga nih. Sarapan opor pasca shalat idul fitri di kampus, siangnya ada ayam dibawain pasca jumatan, malamnya es buah di rumah teman. Luar biasa Alhamdulillah nikmat Allah mana yang kmu dustakan, intan? ^^

Walaupun keluarga jauh di sana di Indonesia dan nangis-nangis sampe mewek ga bisa pulang, tapi Alhamdulillah kami punya keluarga di Taiwan yang bisa membantu kami sedikit melupakan kesedihan.

Lebaran bukan untuk bersedih tapi untuk berbahagia karena Allah sudah memberikan rahmat yang luar biasa besar untuk kami sehingga kami masih bisa bertemu Idul Fitri tahun ini, dan bersilaturahmi dengan saudara seperantauan di Taiwan.

Tidak hanya saudara dari Indonesia, tapi juga dari negara lain. Karena di hari Minggu, ada acara Halal Bihalal di Restoran Taj India milik seorang Muslim Pakistan. Mereka membuat acara perkenalan tentang Islam ke pelanggan dan meminta mahasiswa muslim di Taipei (NTUST khususnya) untuk membantu jadi panitia.

Alhamdulillah acara lancar. Dimulai dari teman baik kami, Chung Yen (Alif) menjadi MC hari itu, lalu Fauzan membaca Al-Qur'an, Rara yang menjelaskan tentang pakaian yang dipakai Muslim di seluruh dunia termasuk hijab, dan juga ketupat. Plus workshop cara memakai jilbab dan membuat ketupat dari pita tentu saja. Lalu diakhiri dengan senandung Shalawat Nabi dari teman-teman cowok dan lagu Bang Toyib (candaan di lingkungan kami bagi yang tidak pulang lebaran, tapi orang Taiwan tidak tau maknanya haha)


Lebaran ini berkesan. Pertama kali nya lebaran bersama suami, tapi tidak di rumah bersama orang tua. Lebaran bersama teman-teman di Taiwan dan membantu menjelaskan tentang Islam ke pelanggan restoran India di Taipei.

Subhanallah Maha Suci Allah Sang Pemberi Nikmat dan Karunia

Minal Aidzin Wal Faidzin kami (Intan dan Putu) ucapkan kepada seluruh keluarga dan sahabat dimanapun berada.
Mohon maaf lahir batin atas salah kata dan perbuatan yang disengaja maupun tidak sengaja.
Semoga ibadah kita semua selama Ramadhan diijabah oleh Allah dan diberi kesempatan untuk menjadi pribadi lebih baik serta siap menjalani kehidupan pasca Ramadhan.
Semoga kita semua diberikan kesempatan lahir dan batin untuk bertemu Ramadhan tahun depan.
Amiinnn...

Jazakallahu Khairan k\Katsiran.

25 June 2015

[Ramadhan Series] Day 8 : Your God is not in Taiwan

That sentence came out from one of my Taiwanese friend. I was shocked. Totally shocked. I was speechless that she said something like that. Not once, not twice, but three times in a day on different occasions.

Me and my friends had a beautiful summer day and we had a lot of things happened. One of our friends was having her birthday and we will try Hijab. But before we celebrate her birthday, my Taiwanese friends were having a BBQ outside school. I was not invited. I understand because they knew I'm fasting this month. But even if I'm not fasting, I will not going to be invited as well because they had pork for BBQ. So, after they finished, they went to school and we got ready to celebrate our friend's birthday.

In the birthday celebration, they brought the pork and beef BBQ for one of our friends who didn't come along with them. Me and Riza (my junior in ITS, also form Indonesia and Muslim) don't eat pork and not eat anything that afternoon because we're fasting. But, suddenly one of my friend (the naughtiest one) told me something like this...
"Hei Intan..Riza.. you have to eat this pork! It's delicious. You know, your God is not in Taiwan. Your God is in Indonesia. He will not know you eat this!"
I was totally shocked... I didn't give any explanation. I was just speechless... and Riza, he also speechless. He just laughed.

I knew she was just kidding. But, I did really shocked of what she told me.

Then, my other friend asked me about Islam. Why we did fasting, how we pray, and why we had to pray to Mecca (she said Arab, not Mecca). After I explained all of those things... my naughtiest friend said it's incredible for Muslims to do fasting in Ramadhan from before sunrise to sunset. Then, she said again...
"You know... you don't have to do fasting in Taiwan. You can eat this cheese cake from her birthday. Your God is not here, Intan."
My second attack. I was totally shocked again. I couldn't believe she said something like that again.

and... I just didn't respond what she said.

So, after that... we were heading to lab because some of us want to try Hijab like me. I was very happy about it so I brought all of my beautiful Hijabs to school days before.

Funny things happen in my lab and my naughtiest friend ever said to me that I have no hair and that's why I covered it up with my Hijab, haha I always said to her that I have hair and she didn't believe it/ Some people also. That's why this day I showed to them my hair ( no boys there). They were just shocked to see my hair. hahahaha

But when my naughtiest friend saw my hair...she said..
"Intan...it's so beautiful. I want hair like you. You don't need to use Hijab. You are beautiful without Hijab. Your God is not here."
And this time...I counter-attacked.

I said to her that
"My God is everywhere. He can see everything I did wherever and whenever the situation is. I will always use this Hijab and do fasting and not eating pork. "
 She just laugh and said "Okay...okay..."

I knew all of these things are actually jokes. She didn't believe in God, that's why she said something like that. If she believe in particular religion, she will know that God is everywhere, no matter what religion she believe. Unfortunately, that's not the case.

She din't believe in God and any kind of religions, just like many Taiwanese. They went to temple, but not believe in particular religion. I don't know how to explain that.

Within this experience, I realized that they don't have any understanding about God. It is proven in another day when my friend asked me about Satan or Shaitaan.

Of course it seems weird for us who live and grown up in the religious environment, where believe in God is necessary, and meet people who didn't believe that God is exist. So, what we need to do if we got this kind of experience?

I can say... try the best to explain about Allah and Islam to them, a little by little. Don't try to give them all information in one occasion. It will make them "can't believe it". Try to explain based on their curiosity in one occasion to another. But, don't push to hard.

Da'wah is not only about in front of many people all at once. But, in front of one of your non-muslim friends is also a da'wah, isn't it?

Wish what we did is what Allah stated in Al-Qur'an.
Allah knows the best.
Allah knows every little intention in human's heart.

Jazakallahu Khairan Katsiran.


22 June 2015

[Ramadhan Series] Day 6 : Longest Day Time in Taiwan during Ramadhan is a Good Day

Today I got information from my Taiwanese friends that today is gonna be the longest day time on summer. And... it's on Ramadhan. I'm not sure how many minutes longer than usual but it feels like I'm going to have a hot summer day today. hahaha

But even it's not longest day time in Taiwan, I would definitely get one. Because today is the last day of one of my class and I had to present my final project in front the class. It's not like an usual presentation, it's different. I had a hard time to do it so I'm really nervous and afraid that I couldn't do it better.

Instead of making myself funny in front of the class, fortunately I can make it through. Alhamdulillah... what I've been think of all this time not realized. hehe I'm afraid Prof will ask us about the network but he just asked us about how we make the network because we used a huge amount of data, not like others in the class. Another miracle of Ramadhan for me from Allah.

What I've been realized all day after I reviewed today activities are... I did something hopefully useful for my friends on lab. InshaAllah.

When first I came at school, I met with my lab mates on lab and we talked for a bit about our friend's engagement surprise. And it came out to a topic of Ramadhan because one of them asked me to go for lunch together. I told her that I was fasting and can't eat during the day until sunset. She already knew about Ramadhan because she is familiar with Islam things, she said. haha But another friend of mine at that time, he didn't know anything about Ramadhan. So, I decided to explain to him about it.

He asked me why do you have to fast for 1 month? 

I answered to him that this month is the month of blessings and Allah stated that we have to fast in this month. There are many benefits for our body and mind actually.

We need fasting for our body to rest after a year eat many kinds of food and need to heal themselves from any kind of disease.

We need fasting for our mind and mental state because we have to be patient, cannot angry, and discipline throughout the day.

So, what time do you have to do fasting?

Start from before Fajr prayer ( I have to explain to him that we have to pray 5 times a day) around 3.30 AM until sunset around 6.45 PM.

Is it have to be that time?

No. it depends on the sun. Sometimes we will eat iftar at 7 PM if the day time is longer than before. And of course summer time is longest time to fast rather than in winter time.

Is Ramadhan always in June / July ?

No. Because Ramadhan is in Islamic Calendar which is similar with Chinese calendar, that depends on the moon. And every year, usually Ramadhan will be move 1 month earlier. Like for example in this year Ramadhan is in June and July, and next year will be in May - June.

After he got all of that information and understand...he said "Waow...It's so special."

I'm happy to hear that I can explain to him about Ramadhan, so that he will understand more about Islam and Muslims.

Another thing that interest me the most was when one of my friend (after class) joking around to my Indonesian labmates that she will make him angry because he is still fasting and I said to her that if she did that she will go to hell. haha it's just joking, but another friend of mine ask me about Hell.

She thought that Hell is always an American joke, like "go to hell" or something like that. And she also didn't believe anything about heaven and hell. SO, I decided to give her an explanation about this.

I asked her whether she knew Adam and Eve, and she didn't know. So, I started with... what happened when human is not yet known.

Allah created Shaitaan (I used term Satan to her because it's more familiar) and put them in Heaven. Then, Allah created human which are Adam and Eve, and He told shaitaan to worship them. But shaitaan said to Allah that they didn't want to because they think that they are better than human. So, shaitaan told Adam and Eve to eat a forbidden apple in heaven. That apple caused them banned from heaven by Allah, because they already told by Allah to not eat that apple, but they still ate that due to shaitaan's whisper. Allah then put shaitaan into Hell and Adam and Eve to earth. Shaitaan didn't like it and even they already successfully make Adam and Eve out of heaven, they still said to Allah that they will make Adam, Eve, and their descendants (which is us, human) to not pray to Allah and drag them to hell until the end of the day (doomsday) to be their friends on hell.

After I explained to her, she became sooo excited. She said to me that she never heard that story before. I felt a little bit shocked because it's a story that any religion had. Like christian, catholics, and jews...they had that story in their book. But, how come she didn't even know that story?

I just realized that it might because she doesn't have any religion. And...most of Taiwanese are like that. So, it makes sense that she and some others of my friends didn't know that story.

I'm happy that I can explain to my friends a little bit about Islam, from time to time. Not a whole in a day but a little bit a time. Because I know that they have to know Islam as general first, and if they want to know more, I will explain more. It's important for them to understand what Islam and how Islam in Muslims' life so that they can respect Muslims and doesn't have any misunderstanding about Islam because of wrong-sided media.

Wish that I can do more on this Ramadhan and do da'wah even more to my friends in Taiwan. InshaAllah.


19 June 2015

[Ramadhan Series] Day 2 : Shocking Hijab Trying from Non-Muslim Friends


My lab is the place where everyone happy, just like our Prof always said to us when we have meeting. It's common when someone mocking others, and no emotions involved.

Without I realized, because I'm not at campus at that day, one of my friend (the craziest one) has an idea to try using hijab by herself with her shawl. She tried to make it as similar as possible with my daily hijab model.  And... it shocked me a lot when I knew it. It's not a bad shock. But, a very good shock. 

I'm very impressed on how she managed to wear it like I used to wear using her shawl. Even her intention at first is to mock me and joke about me that I have no hair and I want to cover it up with my hijab. hahaha

I knew about this from other friends who shown me her photos. And I just kept laugh because she's so cute and beautiful with shawl on her head.

But, the most shocking me was ... when some of my friends who shown me the photo (3 of them), they asked me to have Hijab Day in the lab. They want to try wearing it.

It's... UNBELIEVABLE.

On every year, in campus, Muslim students have an annual activity called International Muslim Culture Exhibition where everyone including non-muslim can try to use Hijab. But as far as I remember, when we had that activity last year, my lab mates didn't come because have classes.

And it's unbelievable for me because that idea is not coming for me. The idea of wearing hijab, is come from them!

Subhanallah... another magic of Ramadhan.

I asked them... why they want to try to use hijab? (still with shocking face)

They said to me that... They want to feel it. Is it hot to wear hijab? will they look more beautiful? is it weird? and the most important thing... they want to know others' perspective when see them using hijab.

And definitely...I said YES OF COURSE.

So, we set a date, on next week... so that everybody (girls) will come to lab and try hijab, I'm the one who will help them wear it. I'm soooo happpyyy... ^__^

When I told my Muslim friends about this... they agree to help me video taping the event. ^^

I hope it can turn out well and another way to do da'wah in Taiwan, even it's only in my lab.

Please pray for us in this activity for next week. I will post the video in this blog as soon as possible, to let the worlds know... 

06 February 2015

Nature Loving Wonderland : The Biggest Budha Maitreya Statue in the World

Source : naturelovingwonderland.org

You didn't see it wrong. It's a very big budha maitreya statue. When I asked the guide, he said its height is equal with 40 floors building and made of bronze.

What I've been thinking is "How they make it? O.o"

This article is about my experience as a Muslim inside the world center of budha maitreya studies.

Me and my husband were looking a place to travel around Hsinchu, Taiwan when my husband discovered there's a place in the middle of mountain that has a very big Budha statue, because one of his friend ever went to this place and post his photo in facebook.

At first, we didn't know anything about this place. We didn't know that this is a place to study about budha maitreya. We only want to travel around and find something different. We think this place is some kind of a place for family recreation. Because it's in the middle of mountain and surrounded by lake. This statue is in the middle of little island in the Golden Lake (I think it's the name refer to the board near the entrance). The pictures he found in google also beautiful because it's surrounded by beautiful scenery.

When we arrived, we already prepared to find "NO English information" and not many people will come around due to the fact that not many cars and scooters passed the road to go there.

But, I was wrong.

We're really shocked when we found out there're a lot of people in the entrance, which are help people to cross the street like police man. But they're not police. I know they're volunteer from the vest they wear. But, how come? It's in the middle of mountain. No public transportation there. No housing, even.

And then... they have Indonesian translator!!!

Really...make me shocked.

At first, someone in the entrance asked me "Are you speaking english?" and we said yes, so that he asked someone who can be our translator. Then, one of the grandpa who also visitor like us asked me "where are you come from?" in chinese of course, and my husband said that we are from Indonesia. And the man in the entrance asked another person, who is Indonesian, named Ferry, to help us.

Ferry came to us and told us about the "rule" that need to be followed inside. Several rules that I remember are:
  • No high heels (they have a very expensive wooden floor and carpet)
  • Shoes need to be covered by somekind of socks (we're given the socks before go to the main hall)
  • No eating and drinking inside the main hall
  • No photos inside
  • etc. (I forgot what other things hehe
He told us about why he came to this place. We didn't know anything about this place until he said to us that this place actually a place to study about Budha Maitreya religion. He said it's not a religion but it's like a .... I don't know what to say. Sect? Not like that also... but something like that. They believe in Universal Family. Whatever your religion, race, culture... we're family. That's what he said to us.

There're many people not only Taiwanese, but also Chinese, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, India, and even Americans...came to this place as volunteers to study about this religion. And they live in the dorm inside the main building.

We're very worried at that time because we're Muslim. But then, because we didn't want to make him sad if we didn't go inside, so we just went inside. Because he said to us that in this place they didn't give us explanation about specific religion, but culture. We're trying to keep open mind when he gave us many information but not too open. 

Ok let me give you what we found inside this place.

Source : naturelovingwonderland.com

First, after Ferry gave us explanation what Dos and Don'ts inside this place, we went to a Gate. The picture is in above. You see there are three doors and each of them has its own meaning which is written above each doors. The first word means Joyfulness, Good Fortune, and Cheerfulness. Ferry told us that sometimes people will go through not only 1 door but 3 of them and make S turn in this gate. So they will get 3 of those positive things in life. But, because we're Muslim, we didn't believe that Gate will give us those 3 things. But, Allah will give us that. So, we decided to go only 1 door, not because we want to get that specific word written in that door but because we want to go inside. haha But Ferry asked us to go through 3 doors because he wants to give explanation. Ok then, because that's the reason, we went through those 3 doors without expect anything.


Second, we saw a very big clock. But the interesting thing is that they change the hour number using 12 positive words. Like for example they change number 1 with Joyful. So, when we feel sad in 1 AM or PM, and then we see the clock, we will remember about Joyful that happened in our life. This clock helps us to always be Grateful and Happy whatever situation happened in our life. I like this clock because it helps me to always Thanks to Allah who gave me such a beautiful life. Time cannot be repeat and has to be filled with beautiful things, right? Great culture and we can accept that theory. Because that's also what Islam taught us.

Third, we entered a main building which has many specific rooms to learn.  Before went inside, we were given a socks, but it's not for feet but for shoes. Yes of course we were using our shoes, but we also used this specially made socks' shoes. So, if you want to go here, don't forget to not use high heels. Better use sport shoes or sandals. In the entrance of the main building, there's a big budha maitreya statue and a small one. They are very heavy, the guide said. Almost 4 tons or something and made of ... i forgot.. something like gold or somekind of that things. Above those statues, there is a dome and the guide (not Ferry, but a woman, who is Indonesian also) said that the dome's shape is the combination of the shape of mosque, church, and temple architecture. It means whatever the religion, human are from one source. As a Muslim, I believe that we're from one source, Allah. But I can't accept the fact that they believe whatever the religion human are one. I know it's logic because if no religion, no hate between religion. But, I believe what Allah said in Al-Qur'an that :

قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُ‌ونَ ﴿١﴾ لَا أَعْبُدُ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ ﴿٢﴾ وَلَا أَنتُمْ عَابِدُونَ مَا أَعْبُدُ ﴿٣﴾ وَلَا أَنَا عَابِدٌ مَّا عَبَدتُّمْ ﴿٤﴾ وَلَا أَنتُمْ عَابِدُونَ مَا أَعْبُدُ ﴿٥﴾ لَكُمْ دِينُكُمْ وَلِيَ دِينِ ﴿ ٦﴾
Say, "O disbelievers. I do not worship what you worship. Nor are you worshippers of what I worship. Nor will I be a worshipper of what you worship. Nor will you be worshippers of what I worship. For you is your religion, and for me is my religion." (Al Kafirun: 1-6)
And also not because we have different religion than we can't respect each other right? (just my opinion, no offense)

Ok so... another thing about this place, they provide information about good culture. Respect each other as society, self introspection, love humanity, no hates, etc. I agree about what they told us. Because that what Islam told us also. About peace, love, respect, good to people. humanity, and many other good things.

But you know... what I don't like the most in this place is that when we went to some place like a shrine, they told us to "pray" to their god, which is budha maitreya. And I really don't like it. Politely I told them "I'm sorry, we're Muslim and we're not going to do that". Even I'm little bit pissed, because they knew I'm Muslim from my hijab, but they still told me to "pray" to their god, I have to be still polite to them without making them uneasy or even mad at us. Alhamdulillah it worked out. They okay with my faith.

I stand in my believe that "For you is your religion, and for me is my religion"

Go to this place is good for people who want to learn something from other people's religion and want to open their mind. If you are Muslim, before go here, pray to Allah to protect you from all information they gave to you. Because maybe shaitaan will go inside your brain and make your faith shaken. So, better to filter all of those information, ok?

This place is good for culture learning and make you think more about your own faith, Islam.

Back to Al-Qur'an... every information about good behavior and culture they mentioned, are mentioned in Al-Qur'an.

After we went to this place, we kept thinking about what we have learnt in Al Qur'an and Hadist and what information we got from this place.

It makes us realize that the more I think about it, the more I fall in love my religion, Islam.

If you read this blog, I remind you that this article is about my experience as a Muslim in a non-Muslim country and have a lot of information about other religion. So, there are many things I have to share about my opinion about what I've experienced to my brothers and sisters in Islam.

If you're non-Muslim reading this article, I'm sorry if this article is not the same with your opinion.

What I've learnt during my visit to this place are...

Be open minded with other religion's culture and information. Because it can help you learn to respect other people and know their opinion about something. Accept the positive culture which are related with Islam's taught us in Qur'an and Hadist. But, don't follow what other religion's do which are not in Qur'an and Hadist. Stand on your faith with respect to others. 

17 June 2014

Taipei Grand Mosque : Oasis in Taiwan

Western culture as a qibla for Taiwanese made Taiwan become a free country. Free in the meaning of free to act, free to choose their 'open' clothes, free to sex before marriage, free to eat Haram food (mainly pork), free to everything,...except Taiwan is still in the propaganda of being an official country and leave China.

Many Muslims from foreign countries considered twice or more whether want to stay in Taiwan or not, even it is just for holiday. It is because of the minority of Muslims population, Halal food, and place to Shalah. Those are my consideration first when I got Letter of Acceptance in one of the university in Taiwan. I started to look for as many as information about Muslim society in Taiwan.

Alhamdulillah... I have friends who already stayed in Taiwan for study in the same university as me and told me everything I want to know. The first thing I asked them is... "is there any masjid there?"

Taipei Grand Mosque is one of the mosque in Taipei and considered as the biggest mosque in Taiwan. There are only seven mosques in Taiwan and two of them are in Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan. Even it is the biggest, but it is not as big as Grand Mosque in many cities in Indonesia. But still, I am very grateful. The location is near with my campus. Not really near at first I went there, but now I felt it is near.

In front of the biggest park in Taipei, Da'an Park. Near with NTU and NTUST campus. Transportation are available using Bus, MRT, or YouBike. Taipei Grand Mosque even put in one of the travel destination list by Taiwan's Travelling Brochures that can be found in MRT stations.

This mosque is not only the place for pray, but also the place for Muslim society gather and do something.

Every Friday, not only man will go for Jum'ah praying but also woman will come because Islam is a minority and they want to see their brothers and sisters at least once a week. Every Jum'ah, this mosque is always crowded by Muslims who want to pray. After Jum'ah pray, kids play in front of the mosque while waiting for their parents buy Halal foods in mosque. In this day, many Muslims will sell their Halal foods. Not only cooked food, but also raw goods, like Halal chicken or beef. Because it is hard to find Halal meat in Taiwan. We have to go to specific market to buy it and it is far away from our place. Therefore, it is very convenient to buy Halal meat in every Friday.

Every week, sometimes in Sunday, there are people from any nations come and study Qur'an together. Not only adults but also kids.

It is very peaceful to be in Taipei Grand Mosque. I can meet Taiwanese Muslims, Indonesian Muslims, and other Muslims from any nations. I also can rest while read Qur'an in woman area from my activities in campus. Many friends of mine who are man told me that mosque is the best place for them to rest from "eye conflict". Because, many Taiwanese girls wear open clothes which are very disturbing for boys.

Annualy, Taipei Grand Mosque will held several event, like seminar or even cooking tutorial. Those activities are very interesting because many Muslims are from foreign countries and we are trained to cook Halal Taiwanese food. Sometimes, they also held competitions like speech, calligraphy, etc.

As a students or workers in Taiwan, sometimes we cannot go home when it's time for Eid Fitr or Eid Adha. But we can celebrate those big days together with our big Muslim family in Taiwan. Have a barbeque together, eat together, and study together.. peaceful place, isn't it?



Me and my Muslim friends like to have a good day in here.
It is like an Oasis in the dessert of Taiwan.
It is a place where we can rest from our campus activities.
It is a place where we can study together.
It is a place where we can meet other nations and learn their culture.
It is a place where we can find Halal food.

But, especially...

It is a place where we can talk with Allah, pray, and be a good Muslim... insha Allah...


Taiwan, June 17th, 2014
Intan Dzikria

21 April 2014

A Cup of Ukhuwah Tea (UCUP) 411++

Sekitar satu tahun yang lalu, aku pernah post tentang UCUP pertama yang aku dan teman-teman sekamar menjadi host nya di link ini http://intandzikria.blogspot.tw/2013/05/ucup-cup-of-ukhuwah-tea.html

Nah tahun ini...kami diberi amanah untuk menyelenggarakannya lagi karena kebetulan bulan April ini kami yang kebagian jatah. Tema ucup kali ini adalah Back to Kampoeng. Makanan Spesial Jawa bagi yang kangen masakan rumah di Jawa atau bagi yang belum pernah mencicipi masakan asli Jawa karena bukan orang Jwa. #halah :p

So, menu masakan kali ini adalah.... Botok Teri dan Sayur Asem ala 411++



Mengapa dinamakan 411++ ?? Karena anggota kami saat ini tidak hanya dari kamar 411 saja tapi juga beberapa teman yang tidak di kamar 411 seperti mbak Aisyah yang tidak tinggal di dorm bersama sang suami dan juga mbak Rany yang merupakan mahasiswa TMU.

Ada yang tanya... gimana cara bikin botoknya? Lha wong di taiwan... ada bungkus nya tho? wah... kalo ini sih agak rahasia gimana masaknya. Botok teri spesial darurat yang penting enak dan siap makan.
Trus... gimana dengan sayur asem nya? di taiwan kan ga ada asem... wah tenang saja... ada asem bawa dari Indonesia milik beberapa teman... jadi... asli itu asem!! (bukan meso) haha

Untuk bagaimana cara membuat masakan-masakan itu... nanti akan aku buat post khusus masakan. ceileeehh... :p yah...sedikit bangga lah karena baru kali ini masak dan hasilnya lumayan memuaskan. ^_^

Acara UCUP kali ini diawali dengan pembukaan oleh sang MC yaitu Mbak Rany. MC berwajah merah kalau tertawa tapi senyumnya yang menawan... #ecieehh :p
Lalu dilanjutkan dengan pembacaan tilawah surat Ar Ruum oleh Fayruz dan tausiyah oleh Mbak Aisyah.


Tausiyah nya lumayan seru nih bahan pembicaraannya karena tentang hati yang sehat dan yang sakit.
Hati yang sehat adalah hati yang rindu akan Allah dalam segala hal misalnya sedih jika tidak wirid, sedih jika lupa shalat atau shalat terlalu mepet dengan waktu akhir, bergetar hatinya jika dibacakan ayat Allah, dan lain sebagainya.
Sedangkan hati yang sakit adalah yang sebaliknya, yang tidak rindu Allah. Melakukan hari-harinya tanpa mempersiapkan diri menuju kekalan akhirat namun selalu senang dengan kehidupan dunia dan malah melakukan maksiat sehari-hari.

Setelah tausiyah oleh Mbak Nyai Aisyah... dilanjutkan Games. yang menjadi juri adalah aku dan Erli...

Game pertama adalah Tebak Kosa Kata
Bagaimana rule nya? Satu orang harus menebak kata yang kosa kata pertama nya adalah kosa kata dari kata sebelumnya. Contohnya misal aku berkata Tikus .. lalu orang setelahku yaitu Erli akan berkata Kusir.
Permainan ini seru karena melatih kecepatan berpikir antara 2 tim. Tim yang menang adalah tim yang jumlah anggotanya lebih banyak daripada tim lain di dalam lingkaran itu. Karena jika ada orang yang salah menebak harus keluar dari lingkaran. Seru bukan main... apalgi jika kosa kata terakhir susah untuk ditebak menjadi kata baru. haha



Game kedua adalah Tebak Orang
Bagaimana rule nya? Satu tim harus menentukan 3 orang yang dijadikan korban di tim nya. Setiap korban memiliki 3 clue yang nantinya menjadi pertanyaan bagi tim lawan untuk menebak siapakah korban yang dimaksud. Contoh timku menunjukku sebagai korban dan tim Erli adalah tim lawanku. Tim ku memiliki 3 clue tentang aku misal clue pertama adalah Kuliah di Surabaya. Tim ku menunjuk salah seorang dari tim lawan untuk menebak siapakah yang kuliah di surabaya dan tidak boleh dibantu oleh anggota lain. Misal tim lawan menunjuk Erli. erli harus menebak dengan benar. Misalnya dia salah menebak Retno. Maka timku menunjuk orang lain di tim lawan untuk menebak clue kedua. Begitu seterusnya. Permainan ini cukup seru karena harus mengetahui siapakah yang dimaksud. Jika tidak ada yang bsia menebak berarti korban tersebut kurang dikenal oleh yang lain dan saatnya menjalin silaturahim dengan lebih dekat. ^_^



Setelah game, saatnya makan!!

Botok teri dan sayur asem darurat spesial karya 411 ++
Oh ya aku lupa menyebutkan es cao dan semangka kuning dalam menu kali ini juga. haha



Alhamdulillah semua senang... walaupun banyak tersisa kami membagikannya bagi siapa saja yang mau membawa pulang dan juga memberikan kepada ikhwan... ^__^

Semoga UCUP kali ini berkesan mendalam dan meningkatkan tali silaturahmi bagi kita semua....Ammiiinnn... ^__^


25 December 2013

International Muslim Culture Exhibition 2013


International Muslim Culture Exhition or IMCE is one of my favorite event in Taiwan...not only because I'm the committee but also because this event's aim is to make people understand about Islam and Muslim's daily life... I like this year's activity because FREE FOODS!!! hahaha
I also can make henna in my hand...wanna know? check this picture below. ^^

25 November 2013

IMCE 2013 Fund Raising

IMCE or International Muslim Culture Exhibition held by NTUST-IMSA (International Muslim Student Association) every year. This year, IMCE will be held in 16 - 17 December 2013 in T4 Building from 10.00 - 17.00 Taipei times. The theme is Halal Food Journey : New Taste New Experience. NTUST-IMSA open the fund raising for this event. The money will be used for the event and give visitors halal food to try.
if you want to donate, please contact :
Isro Hutama (0978579154) isrohutama@yahoo.com
or if you want to transfer the donation, you can transfer to
Rayi Yanu Tara, First Bank, 166-51-031107

We're looking forward for your help in making this event come true in Taiwan... :)


29 October 2013

Hijabku Identitasku

Taiwan adalah sebuah negara yang mayoritas penduduknya beragama Budha. Namun, sebagian besar penduduknya adalah atheis atau tidak beragama. Jikalau mereka memiliki agama, mereka tidak menempatkannya dalam skala prioritas karena menurut mereka, agama hanya sebuah trend dan tidak terlalu penting. Mungkin ini disebabkan oleh kemajuan teknologi yang sedang dialami oleh masyarakat Taiwan. Dimanjakan oleh kehidupan yang serba wah, tidak hanya dari segi teknologi saja, tapi juga transportasi dan kebudayaan, membuat mereka berleha-leha dalam menikmati hidup.

Islam menjadi sebuah minoritas di Taiwan. Tahun 2013 ini, hanya ada sekitar 0.3% dari seluruh populasi. Kebudayaan yang berbeda membuat Muslim di Taiwan harus berusaha ekstra keras untuk menjadi muslim yang seutuhnya. Hal ini aku dan teman-temanku alami sendiri sebagai seorang muslimah yang sedang kuliah di salah satu universitas atau bekerja di Taiwan dan menggunakan hijab.

Budha memang menjadi mayoritas agama di Taiwan dan mereka mewajibkan penganutnya untuk menjadi vegetarian. Tetapi, agama hanyalah sebuah trend bagi masyarakat Taiwan. Banyak yang tidak memiliki agama sehingga makanan yang mereka makan adalah babi. Hampir semua makanan di Taiwan mengandung babi. Entah itu daging maupun minyak. Hal tersebut menjadi suatu hal yang sangat susah bagi kami Muslim di Taiwan. Kami harus bertanya dulu apakah makanan tersebut halal atau tidak. Halal tidak hanya berarti tidak boleh makan daging babi, tapi juga daging sapi / ayam nya disembelih dengan aturan Islam atau tidak dan juga apakah cara memasak dan juga alat makannya dibedakan ketika memasak dan mencuci?

Orang Taiwan adalah orang yang baik dan ramah, dan ketika kami bertanya mereka selalu menjelaskan dan membantu dengan sabar. Tapi, tak semua mengerti dan paham maksud kami. Menjelaskan apa itu Halal tidak mudah karena dengan kata lain, kami harus menyuruh mereka menuruti kemauan kami dengan melakukan apa yang Halal terapkan dalam makanan. Tidak semua restoran akan setuju melayani sepenuh hati. Restoran Halal di Taiwan pun tidak banyak. Hanya sedikit dan berjauhan antara satu lokasi dengan lokasi lain.

21 October 2013

Taiwanese Friend Convert to Islam

I have a friend, his name is Chung Yen Chen. He is a Taiwanese. I met him and knew him because of my friend, Rara who is close with him, one and half year ago. He is a very nice and handsome guy. I said handsome because not all Taiwanese handsome, just a few of them, and he is one of them. haha
He is very close with Indonesian students especially Muslims. Because Rara always bring him to meet us when we have an event. He also very humble and his curiosity is very high.


I'm not really close with him but I've ever talk with him and yet... He came to my birthday party!! I'm very shock because he is the only one non Indonesian student there.haha 

I just don't know how and why....but, last saturday...He said Syahadah in front of Muslims students in NTUST.

At that moment, i just wanna cry and at the same time...happy.

I know from Rara that he already converted to Muslim in Thursday but he wanted to say again in front of his Muslim friends so he will get as many as supports and many people can help him to learn about Islam. because he is the first Taiwanese man who convert to Islam. Subhanallah.... O.o

Islam in Taiwan become minority and I'm grateful he convert to Islam so he can be a pioneer to all people in Taiwan who want to convert also. I don't know when or how he got a Hidayah from Allah, just Allah who knows about everything in this world,...

All of Muslims in here very happy to know about this..and we'll help him...of course...

I just want to say to him...

This is the choice that you will never regret, brother... you choose Islam because it's the choice from yourself, not from any people or anything... Islam is the right religion... to be a Muslim is easy... but to be a real Muslim, you need to learn more and we will help you as much as we can, insyaAllah... welcome to Islam brotherhood, brother chung-yen... ^.^