The Meaning of Ramadan for Indonesian Badminton Athletes

Indonesian badminton player Hermansah

KAZAN – ‘Marhaban ya Ramadan’ is the welcome holy month of Ramadan, which is observed by Muslims around the world. So what are the traditions of Ramadan? One is fasting. Fasting in Islam is defined as abstaining ‘completely’ from foods, drinks, intimate intercourse and smoking, from dawn until sunset.

Although fasting is obligatory, it does not mean Islam is rigid. The faith provides an exception for people who leave fasting to replace outside of the month of Ramadan.

At the 27th Summer Universiade in Kazan, Indonesia sent 38 athletes. As a country where the majority of the population are Muslims many of the Indonesian athletes will be observing Ramadan. Hermansah, an Indonesian badminton athlete is one of the athletes who will be fasting. “If I don’t have any match then I do fasting,” he said.

Indonesian Muslims fast for 14 hours in a day, for Muslims in Kazan fasting is done for more than 18 hours. In Kazan, Hermansah has a demanding training schedule. However he will still enjoy Ramadan in Kazan. “They are free to choose, whether to do fasting or not” said Indonesian badminton coach, Herawati.

Herawati himself gave advice to the athletes to leave fasting when they have a game because it will take an extra energy.

Rendra Ardyansah/FISU Young Reporter (INA)