foto: Instagram/@ivan_gunawan
Designer and presenter Ivan Gunawan recently shared his incredible experience during Ramadan. For the first time in his life, he managed to fast completely.
"Alhamdulillah, for 43 years, I have only fasted this year, I have only fasted completely this year. Believe it or not," said Ivan in a TikTok video.
Not only that, Ivan also began to routinely perform the five daily prayers throughout this holy month. This became a new experience for him in deepening his faith.
"For 43 years, I have only prayed five times a day during this fasting month," he added gratefully.
Ivan realized that everyone's spiritual journey is unique and should not be compared. He even compared his learning process to his friend, Ruben Onsu, who is also a convert.
"That means I'm no different from Ruben because we're both learning," he said.
Ivan stressed that he did not want his spiritual journey to be public consumption. According to him, faith should grow naturally without any coercion.
"That's why I don't like it when the process of Islamic faith becomes public consumption. Life can't be forced, it has to happen by itself," explained Ivan.
Early 2025, Ivan Gunawan plans to perform Umrah. On that occasion, he will bring employees and friends from his foundation. Ivan expressed the prayer he prayed during Umrah, which was to ask for patience and strength to continue working.
"Yesterday I asked Allah to be more patient, to be able to be more patient. Because nowadays we are crazy. Just watching social media can make you angry, annoyed," said Ivan when met in the Pondok Bambu area, East Jakarta.
He hopes to always be given peace, loved by many people, and his business continues to run well. "Allah continues to give him creativity, gives him the strength to work, to create new works again. I'm more focused on that," Ivan concluded.
(brl/red)
