BOGOR, WEST JAVA — There was something different on Saturday (April 9, 2022) afternoon before breaking the fast in the Madina Zone, Parung, Bogor, West Java. This was due to the Ramadan Blessing Market event, which was enlivened by various activities for the general public. The activities included an SME and Culinary Market, a marawis competition, a religious preaching competition for children from preschool to elementary school, and a cheap market in collaboration with Agrenesia and Dompet Dhuafa.
The concept behind this year’s Ramadan Blessing Market is “Go Green” and environmentally friendly. This is evident as vendors use shopping bags made from cassava-based material, which decomposes more easily than plastic. In addition to offering various dishes and premium products, the Ramadan Blessing Market aims to encourage the community to be more environmentally conscious, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
According to Nur Imam, the person in charge of the Ramadan Berkah Market, the reason for holding this event is to boost the economy, especially for MSMEs that have been struggling during the Covid-19 pandemic. Imam also added that this event is a response to help the community cope with the skyrocketing prices of basic necessities.
“This activity is carried out as a form of economic improvement for MSME activists in the Parung area, Bogor. After being shrouded in the Covid-19 pandemic for 2 (two) years, the economy declined and now the community’s economy is starting to crawl, even though some basic necessities have increased in price,” explained Imam at the location where the activity took place.
In addition to various arts and cultural activities, Zona Madina also held a Cheap Market by providing 50 packages in one day. In collaboration with Agrinesia as a partner, this program was held to fulfill the basic food needs of the community around Zona Madina when the prices of basic necessities rose during Ramadan this year. This was revealed by Ghulam and Andhika, representatives of Agrinesia,
“This program is carried out as a form of mutual concern during Ramadan to help the community, especially those affected economically, particularly by the increase in the price of basic necessities. So, with this activity, we can help the community and introduce our products during Ramadan,” explained Ghulam.
“Praise be to God, this activity was also made possible thanks to the cooperation of our DD Volunteer colleagues who helped organize this event and promoted the Go Green initiative to the community during today’s affordable market,” added Andhika.
One of the participants in the Cheap Market event, Syahiba, was delighted with the availability of various necessities at discounted prices. With the high cost of basic necessities in the market, she felt relieved to be able to fulfill her needs during Ramadan. Syahiba also hopes that this event will be held again after Ramadan.
“Obviously, this has helped me a lot. The prices are much lower than outside, where prices are currently very high. If possible, I hope activities like this can be held again in the future, not only during Ramadan, to help the community, especially those around here,” said Syahiba after shopping. (Dompet Dhuafa / Arlen)