Welcoming Ramadan Through Togetherness
Ramadan has always been a month eagerly awaited by Muslims around the world. In addition to being a time to increase acts of worship, this month is also a moment to strengthen relationships with family, friends, and the community. In West Java, one of the traditions of welcoming Ramadan is “munggahan”, an activity of gathering to enjoy meals together before entering a month-long period of fasting. This tradition becomes an opportunity to strengthen bonds while celebrating togetherness.
Inspired by this spirit, U-GIS (Unisba Global Inspired Society) held an activity called “Munggisan” on Monday, February 9, 2026, at the DU 19 Foodcourt. This activity was attended by 27 participants, consisting of 23 U-GIS members and 4 international students at Universitas Islam Bandung. Munggisan adapts the tradition of munggahan by exchanging food and anonymous letters among participants, creating a warm, communal space for U-GISians and international students ahead of Ramadan.
Preparation
The activity begins with a brief introduction session among participants. In this session, everyone shares the types of food they like. Participants can’t mention specific types of food to maintain an element of surprise. This information then becomes a guide for other participants to choose suitable food. During this session, participants not only share their preferences but also begin getting to know one another and create a more familiar atmosphere before the main activity begins.
The Food Hunt and Letters from the Heart
After the introduction session ended, the participants began searching for food that matched the preferences of the person they had received. This process became quite interesting because everyone tried to choose the food that suited them best based on the information previously provided, without attracting much attention from others.
In addition to choosing food, each participant also wrote an anonymous letter containing messages, prayers, or hopes for the recipient. These letters became an important part of the Munggisan activity because sincere, simple messages often made a deep impression on the recipients.
The combination of food and warm messages made a heartfelt atmosphere that filled the space, making it feel truly precious. Participants not only shared food but also shared care and kind words with fellow UGIS members.
The Moment of Surprise
After all the food and letters were collected, the committee then prepared the distribution to the participants. As participants began receiving and opening the food they got, various reactions emerged. Some smiled, laughed, and even looked touched as they read the messages they received.
The moment of reading the letters became one of the warmest parts of this activity. Although the sender’s identity was unknown, the messages conveyed a sense of closeness and togetherness among the participants.
Participant Impact and Food Rating
“That is a lot of fun!! The first time I went to eat with others, and we had to write a letter that touched people, during the meeting, I really enjoyed the event because, besides being able to eat food, write letters, I also ate with the children of UGIS, Mr. Ramaa and Mahasing (foreign students) for the first time. “A lot of people have been very supportive of me, and I am very happy with the way things have turned out, and I am very grateful 💯🌻 for the support of my family.”— Qismika, Faculty of Economics and Business
“My impression when the munggisan is very excited is that it is exciting because I also get a message that touches me really, so I am happy + you know what I am like from the point of view of the one who gives the message, and the message is that hopefully the next munggisan event will be held again, and of course it will be more exciting +++”— Aida, Faculty of Economics and Business
In addition to impressions of the overall activities, the participants also rated the food they received. This assessment provides a simple way to see how well the chosen food matches the preferences they previously expressed.
“For me, the food is 8/10. It’s quite in line with what I like. Maybe I just wasn’t specific enough about what food I wanted, so that’s why. But it’s still delicious!”— Dewi, Faculty of Sharia
“It is delicious,” said Achraf after trying the fried rice he received during the Munggisan event. The student from Algeria admitted that this was his first time tasting Indonesian food, as he had previously more often consumed Middle Eastern dishes such as kebuli rice. According to him, the tradition of gathering and eating together before Ramadan also exists in Middle Eastern culture, so the concept of Munggisan felt quite familiar and became an enjoyable opportunity to get to know the UGISians.
More Than Just Food
Munggisan may seem like a simple activity that only involves exchanging food and letters. However, behind this simplicity, the activity carries a deeper meaning. Through this activity, participants learn to pay attention to others’ preferences, share care through small gestures, and build warmer relationships with fellow community members.
For international students, this activity also becomes an opportunity to get to know the local culture more closely. In addition to trying traditional Indonesian food, they can also understand how Indonesian society welcomes the arrival of Ramadan through traditions of togetherness. On the other hand, for UGIS members, Munggisan serves as a space to strengthen bonds within the community and foster a more familiar atmosphere.
The activity of sharing food during Munggisan can also be linked to the values of care for food and social solidarity, which align with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the second goal, Zero Hunger, which emphasizes awareness of food access and the spirit of sharing within the community.
Ultimately, Munggisan is not just about the food being shared, but also about the togetherness that is created during the activity. Through simple moments like sharing food and writing messages, participants can get to know each other better and leave warm memories as we welcome the month of Ramadan.
