A warm atmosphere can be felt every Friday at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM). After the Friday prayer, the congregation does not immediately leave, but gathers to enjoy lunch together. The meal served is not merely food, but a reflection of care and togetherness within the campus community. The program, known as Jumat Berkah (Blessed Friday), was once again held on 26 September 2025 by distributing 100 meal portions.
The Head of the Administrative Office of FKG UGM, Wulansari, explained that this activity has been running since 2024. The idea originated from the desire of the campus community to share in the form of charity, while also providing lunch for students, lecturers, and administrative staff. “Every Friday prayer, we have a donation box. The collected funds are then managed by the Islamic Communication Forum (FKI) of FKG UGM and allocated for the Jumat Berkah program,” said Wulansari.
The program is carried out in collaboration with FKI FKG UGM, which coordinates the activities—from preparing the meals to distributing them after Friday prayer. Funding for the program comes from weekly donations as well as contributions from staff and academic community members who are willing to support. This spirit of mutual cooperation (gotong royong) is what enables the program to continue consistently to this day.
The activity has received positive responses from the congregation. One of the participants, Toni, expressed his appreciation for the program. “After prayer, we can directly have our meal without needing to go out to find food. The menu is complete, with carbohydrates, protein, and vegetables,” he said. He also hopes that this program will continue and that the number of portions can be increased, considering the large number of Friday prayer attendees at FKG UGM.
Author and Photographer: Fajar Budi Harsakti
