20 April 2023
Ramadan 1444 Hijriah safari hosted by Harita Nickel on 7 to 13 April 2023 was quite draining energy. However, outside of Kawasi Village which is directly adjacent to the company's operations, its crew visited 13 other villages spread across 3 sub-districts using sea transportation.
Those three sub-districts include Obi, South Obi and East Obi. Personnel are divided into 3 groups that each depart from the Harita Nickel operational site in Kawasi Village, Obi District. In the map, Obi sub-district is located on the west side of Obi island. So, the Safari Ramadan route is from the west to the south and east of the island of Obi.
Each group overnighted in each village visited before continuing their journey to the next village. Activities held in each village included donations to orphans, distribution of Eid gifts to the elderly and closed with iftar together until before Isha prayer. As activities finished in the evening, they traveled to the next village by sea on the following day.
Sea trucks carrying the crew were full of cardboard boxes and sacks containing Eid gifts. Those who were fasting worked together to distribute the aid packages. On another occasion, the crew boarded a long boat under the scorching heat of the beach in broad daylight to continue their safari to another village.
An interesting story was told by Abu Bakar Sani, Community Relation Superintendent of Harita Nickel. According to him, Ramadan Safari is a reflection of tolerance between religious communities.
"If it was conveyed that religious life in this village is very harmonious, as well as in our team. For example, Ms. Sheila, even though she is non-Muslim, she is the one who is the busiest in preparing this activity," he said during the Ramadan Safari activities in South Obi District.
Sheila Munthia Simamora was coordinating logistics distribution to South Obi Sub-District. Along with the rest of the crew, Sheila admitted that she was happy despite having to travel from one village to another for several days.
"The religion that I believe in also teaches us to always spread love to all humanity. So, this activity is not limited to professional demands, but also practicing the noble values taught by all religions," she said.
Previously, several figures appreciated the Ramadan Safari activities initiated by Harita Nickel in a number of villages on Obi Island. Apart from the government, appreciation was also expressed by religious leaders. Not only from Muslims, appreciation also came from other religious leaders.
Jei Tomas Siwabessy, pastor of Eben Haezer church in Wayaloar village, South Obi sub-district, said that breakfasting moments in a series of Ramadan safaris held by Harita Nickel became a means to strengthen relations between religious adherents.
"We are from the Eben Haezer church congregation, as well as Anugerah church, are very happy to be able to gather with our neighbors from Muslims and Muslims who are fasting Ramadan. We have to preserve this kind of harmony for our common livelihood," he said, when giving a speech at the Ramadan safari event in Wayaloar Village recently.
Separately, Ustad Ali Zainal Abidin in his Ramadan safari tausiyah at the An Nur Mosque in Kawasi Village, Obi Subdistrict, expressed the same thing. According to him, the company's assistance to orphans, the elderly and widows is very valuable, especially in the month of Ramadan.
"Different from gifts, assistance given to those who really need it is called alms. For those who receive, this assistance is very large in value," he explained.
Reportedly, Harita Nickel held a Ramadan 1444 Hijri safari to a number of villages on Obi Island on April 7 to 13, 2023. In this series of activities, the company distributed compensation to at least 520 orphans and 800 Eid gifts to the elderly, widows / widowers and religious leaders.
Harita Nickel's Department Head of Community Affairs, Latif Supriadi said the Ramadan Safari activity is part of the Community Development and Empowerment (PPM) program that has been held regularly by the company every year.
"Through this Ramadan Safari, we stay in touch and at the same time want to share happiness with the community, especially Muslims who are fasting Ramadan and will soon celebrate Eid al-Fitr," he explained.
In addition to Obi Island, Latif added, Harita Nickel collaborated with a number of agencies also distributed more than 3 thousand Eid packages in Ternate City and Labuha, North Maluku.
"All of this is nothing but our commitment to always be together with the community, religious leaders and all other stakeholders to join hands to build the region and contribute to the nation," he said.
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