Self-sacrifice is the main spirit of Idul Adha

Self-sacrifice is the main spirit of Idul Adha Djoko Subinarto ; A Freelance Writer based in Cimahi, West Java

JAKARTA POST, 25 Oktober 2012

Muslims across Indonesia will be observing the Islamic day of sacrifice, Idul Adha, on Oct. 26.  Idul Adha celebrates the occasion when God appeared to the Prophet Abraham in a dream and commanded him to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience. As we know, one of Abraham’s main trials was to face this command. As Abraham prepared to sacrifice Ishmael, God stopped him and allowed him to sacrifice a lamb instead. Abraham’s sacrifice symbolizes obedience and self-sacrifice to God. Idul Adha is observed annually on the 10th day of the 12th Islamic month of Dzul-Hijjah of the Islamic lunar calendar. In some areas, Idul Adha is celebrated over several days.  Apart from saying prayers, Muslims must slaughter sacrificial animals (qurban), such as cows, sheep, goats or camels on Idul Adha. The meat of qurban is distributed to others, particularly to the poor. This act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us, in order to follow God’s commands.  Also, it symbolizes our willingness to renounce some of our own bounties so that we can strengthen ties of friendship and brotherhood as we help the needy. Many believe the main spirit of Idul Adha lies in the concept of self-sacrifice — how we must be more willing to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of other people. As far as leadership is concerned, the concept of self-sacrifice is very important. A leader should always have the ability in self-sacrificing. History has seen many self-sacrificing leaders made a big impact on the world. People like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Sukarno and Hatta are among the examples of those who have sacrificed themselves for the sake of otherss and for their great ideology and big dreams. According to Knippenberg, leaders are effective because of their self-sacrifice. Knippenberg states that there are three factors why self-sacrifice determines effective leadership. First, being self-sacrificial is probably one of the most direct ways for a leader to state that he or she considers the group’s welfare to be important, and it also explicitly shows his or her commitment to the collective. Second, it creates the conviction among followers that the leader can be relied on to behave in a group-oriented manner in the future. And third, self-sacrificing behavior contributes to positive follower perceptions. Although leaders should have the ability to sacrifice themselves, many have lost the trait of self-sacrifice and tend to follow their own gains and profits. Of course, such leaders never have a great ideology or big dreams that they are struggling for.  Truth to be told, 67 years after its independence, Indonesia really needs leaders who are self-sacrificing and leaders who have great ideology and big dreams for the sake of the common good of the nation. Idul Adha could possibly inspirit our leaders to be more willing to exhibit self-sacrifice resulting in guaranteed effective leadership. ●