Ramadan away from home hits differently. For many Indonesian Muslims in Melbourne, the experience is a mix of newfound challenges and unexpected joys – longer fasting hours, a smaller but tight-knit community, and the constant effort to balance faith with daily life in a non-Muslim country. What does it take to maintain a spiritual connection in a secular environment? And what lessons from life abroad can help young Muslims navigate their journey?

Ustad Abdul Aziz, an imam with the ⁠Indonesian Muslim Community of Victoria (IMCV), joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast, to talk about what it means to practice and preserve faith while living overseas. From his own journey of dakwah (Islamic outreach) across Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Australia to the unique struggles and strengths of Indonesian Muslim migrants, he shares insights on community-building, adapting to local realities, and finding meaning in the challenges of being a perantau.

This episode is delivered in Bahasa Indonesia. A transcript is available online.

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Chapters:

(0:00) Introduction

(0:49) Relationship with Indonesia

(2:38) Leaving home and outside your comfort zone

(10:47) Dakwah in Hong Kong

(19:09) Ending up in Melbourne

(33:42) Ramadan in Melbourne

(42:49) Advice to Muslims abroad