EduAsiaNews, Malang – The Vice Rector III of Universitas Brawijaya, Dr. Setiawan Noerdajasakti, S.H., M.H., stated that the observance of Ramadan should not be confined merely to ritual practice. He emphasized that religious values must be translated into concrete moral actions, particularly in leadership and public policymaking.
This message was delivered during a Dhuhr Ramadan sermon on Tuesday (February 24, 2026) at Masjid Fatahillah, located within the UB Rectorate Building, under the theme “From Rituals to Moral Action.”
In his reflection, Dr. Setiawan admitted that he had deeply contemplated the meaning of the theme, observing a gap between the performance of religious rituals and the embodiment of their values in everyday life.
“There are still individuals who practice religious teachings solely as rituals without translating them into action. Although in Surah Al-Fatihah we recite, ‘You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help,’ in reality some continue to place their hopes in other than God,” he remarked.
He cited examples of individuals who continue to seek supernatural assistance or rely on intermediaries other than God, despite identifying as Muslims and memorizing verses of the Qur’an. According to him, this indicates that the sacred verses have not yet fully permeated their moral character and conduct.
However, he underscored that the issue becomes far more serious when it involves leaders or public policymakers.
“If this occurs among ordinary individuals, the impact may be limited to themselves. But when leaders treat religion merely as ritual without grounding their policies in moral values, the consequences can be far-reaching,” he stressed.
As an illustration, he referred to the flood disasters that occurred in Sumatra, linking them to possible deforestation policies implemented without due regard for environmental sustainability.
He explained that Islamic teachings explicitly prohibit environmental destruction. Citing several Qur’anic verses—including those from Surah Al-Baqarah, Al-A’raf, and Ar-Rum—he emphasized that damage on land and sea occurs as a result of human actions, and that humanity is commanded to avoid causing harm to the earth.
“These verses clearly instruct humans to serve as khalifah who cultivate and safeguard the earth, maintaining ecological balance rather than destroying it. When decisions are made without moral and religious considerations, destruction may follow,” he stated.
Furthermore, he encouraged the congregation to reflect on whether every policy has genuinely been evaluated through the lens of religious values and social justice. Policies lacking moral grounding and sincerity, he warned, may lead to declining public trust and the loss of blessings in resource management.
“Ramadan should serve as a moment of introspection for leaders—to ask themselves whether the decisions they make truly align with the values of their faith,” he said.
In closing, Dr. Setiawan Noerdajasakti described the theme as a personal reflection on fulfilling his mandate at Universitas Brawijaya. He emphasized that every decision must be considered not only from administrative and legal standpoints, but also from moral and spiritual perspectives.
He called upon the entire UB academic community to make Ramadan a space for cultivating integrity—where worship does not end with ceremony, but shapes character, responsibility, and leadership.
This Ramadan sermon forms part of efforts to strengthen spirituality within Universitas Brawijaya and reaffirms the university’s commitment to fostering a leadership culture grounded in values, integrity, and social responsibility. (MEL/UB PR/Trans. Iir).
