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Dr. Andryanto Rikrik Kusmara, S.Sn., M.Sn., Vice Rector for Communication, Partnership, Alumni, and Administration at ITB, together with Dr. Ir. Endra Gunawan, S.T., M.Sc., Director for Partnership, welcomed international students and introduced them to one of the Indonesian Ramadan traditions, which is buka bersama (fast-breaking meal together). During the gathering, two international students shared the differences between Ramadan traditions in their home countries and those they encountered in Indonesia.

Mohammad Shabir Sharifi, a Muslim graduate student from Afghanistan who is currently pursuing his Master of Business Administration at ITB, recounted his experience of Ramadan in Bandung, Indonesia. “Bandung’s frequent rain makes it cold when I want to pray. The weather is unpredictable; sometimes the sun shines so bright, and then switches to chilly downpours, leaving me unsure whether to wear a jacket or not,” he said.

He also praised Indonesia’s strong culture of sharing, “Here, when you go to the mosque, you can receive free food, which I think is incredible.” Additionally, he expressed his fondness for Indonesian traditional food, “My favorite food is nasi goreng (fried rice) and mi goreng (fried noodles). I eat them almost every night.”

He went on to compare the Tarawih prayer tradition and Eid preparations between Indonesia and his home country. “In Afghanistan, Tarawih prayer usually consists of 20 rakaat, while here some people do just eight. Another difference is how people prepare for Eid. In my home country, going to the tailor to get new clothes is the last thing on people’s minds. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, making or buying new clothes for Eid is like a tradition. This year, for the first time, I will be following that tradition."

On the other hand, Anushka Gupta, a non-Muslim Master of Electrical Engineering student from India, shared her experience of Ramadan in Indonesia. “In India, I know of Ramadan, but to experience it firsthand in Indonesia is entirely different. In the afternoons, everyone seems to disappear, and suddenly at Maghrib, they reappear and the city comes alive. I was so confused,” she said. She also became aware of the etiquette around respecting others who are fasting. “As a non-Muslim, I know that I can eat during the day, but then I realized that eating in front of others who are fasting feels a bit inappropriate.”

She was also impressed by the variety of Indonesia’s Ramadan culinary culture. “Every day, I would see my friends cooking, and sometimes I would join them. They invited me to cook with them, and I think it’s a really beautiful experience, and the food was delicious,” she said. She also highlighted the abundance of promotions and discounts during Ramadan.

Curious about fasting, Anushka tried doing it for a day. “I even tried fasting for a day, and it was very hard. By noon, I was questioning my life choices, and by 8 p.m., I felt ready to take on someone,” she joked. “But to be honest, it has been a beautiful experience. The sense of togetherness, breaking fast with others, and everything I’ve learned has been very meaningful.”

This iftar event featured a range of Indonesian traditional dishes, including baso malang, nasi kuning, daging sambal matah, and gorengan. With events like this, it is hoped that international students at ITB can broaden their horizons regarding the culture and cuisine in Indonesia, as well as strengthen the bonds between students.

Reporter: Nada Raudah Mumtazah (Ocean Engineering, 2021)
Translator: Senandung Shauma Bidadari (Management, 2026)