MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – Secretary of the Muhammadiyah Council for Higher Education, Research and Development Ahmad Muttaqin is urging reflection on hunger and food waste during the holy month of Ramadan. He highlighted a seemingly contradictory reality: hunger persists in some parts of the world while food abounds in others.
Ahmad Muttaqin, speaking at a Tarawih preaching at the Islamic Center Mosque of Universitas Ahmad Dahlan (UAD) on March 25, emphasized a verse from the Quran (Surah ‘Abasa, verse 24) that speaks of Allah’s abundant provision. He argues that hunger isn’t a consequence of a shortage, but rather an issue of unequal distribution.
“Allah guarantees food not only for humans, but for all creatures on Earth,” Muttaqin explained. “The difficulty in accessing food sources is not because God is stingy; it’s because food distribution is simply not equal.”
This disparity, he argues, is compounded by another troubling reality: food waste. Muttaqin pointed to a 2020 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report, “Food Waste Index,” which revealed that in Indonesia, nearly 2% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is lost due to food waste. This waste occurs throughout the food chain, from production and transportation to retail and consumption.
Muttaqin emphasized the importance of gratitude for the blessings of food. He pointed out the numerous Quranic references to food, using terms like “to’am” or “to’amah” (mentioned 48 times), “syaroba” – “yasrobu” (mentioned 39 times), “maidah” (even used as the name of a surah), and “ghida‘” (mentioned 12 times).
“The Quran highlights the importance of food for humans,” he said. “This should make us more mindful of what we eat and avoid waste.”
Muttaqin’s message serves as a timely reminder during Ramadan, a month of heightened awareness and self-reflection. The act of breaking fast (iftar) should not be an occasion for overindulgence or wastefulness. By acknowledging the abundance provided by God and addressing issues of distribution and waste, Muslims can ensure everyone has access to this fundamental need.
