When entering the month of Ramadan, many Muslim usually find a way to spare their time to find their inner peace in this blessed holy month. One of the things that Muslim in Indonesia often do is to do religious tourism. Many argue that by doing as such can provide them inner peace during the holy month of Ramadan. 

For information, religious tourism and halal tourism are two different types of tourism. According to Vice President, Ma’aruf Amin, they are two different things and people often get confused.

“Visiting a mosque is not halal tourism, it is called religious tourism. Halal tourism is visiting tours, all existing tours, existing tourist destinations, only in that destination there are halal services. Well, that’s  actually (halal tourism),” said Vice President Ma’aruf Amin.

Religious tourism can also be meant as a tourist destination which is associated with the Islamic history, figures, and also the place of worship. The activity of doing religious tourism is also beneficial for improving one’s mentality and spirituality during the holy month, such as strengthening their faith, adding more understanding to the religious and spiritual knowledge, as well as expanding insight on the history and culture in certain places. 

One thing to remember, religious tourism is not only for the majority of Muslim in Indonesia. As we commonly know, Indonesia has officially six recognized divine religions, namely Islam, Protestant, Catholic, Hindu, Buddha, and Kong Hu Cu. Every religion has their own respective religious tourism. 

For example, the Buddhist usually visit the temple of Borobudur located in Central Java for religious occasions. Whereas, Hindus usually visit shrines in Bali. But, interestingly, every religious site is able to be visited by tourists. So, Sobat Parekraf doesn’t need to worry about religious differences during the tour visit.

Even though it doesn’t match with your beliefs, Sobat Parekraf is still able to visit any religious tourist destinations in Indonesia. In other words, the idea of religious tourism is really open to the diversity and pluralism in Indonesia. But, during the visit, we should be mindful to always respect others, and obey the rules followed by the people in the place of worship.

Photos: religious tourism in Great Mosque of Kudus (Shutterstock/masariev)

Religious Tourism in the Month of Ramadan

Approaching Ramadan and Eid Al-Fatr, every Muslim usually visits various historical mosques, and also the tomb of The Wali Songo in hopes to strengthen their faith in the following month of Ramadan. 

Making a pilgrimage to the tombs of The Wali Songo is a tradition among many Muslim in Indonesia. All nine tombs of the Wali Songo are spread across the island of Java. There are five tombs in East Java, three tombs in Central Java, and one tomb in West Java. 

Besides doing pilgrimage in the tombs of The Wali Songo, visiting and praying in mosques are examples of the religious tourism which are usually carried out by Muslim in the month of Ramadan. There are recommendations for visiting historical mosques in Indonesia, Sobat Parekraf can visit them to get the experience of religious tourism.

These are the popular mosques in Indonesia: Istiqlal Mosque (Jakarta), Great Mosque of Demak and Great Mosque of Sunan Ampel (Surabaya), Jogokariyan Mosque (Yogyakarta), Great Mosque (Semarang), and also Bayan Beleq Ancient Mosque (Lombok).

During the visit, every tourist also has a chance to try halal culinary foods in every region. It is because during Ramadan, there will be a lot of food stalls surrounding mosques visited by tourists. The food stalls are not for the tourists, but also for Muslim who wait for the time to break the fast (ngabuburit) in the month of Ramadan. 

So, are you ready to find inner peace while tasting unique culinary delights in every tourist religious site?

Cover: religious tourism in Great Mosque of Demak (Shutterstock/FarisFitrianto)