Digital Islamic library launched in Jakarta<\/p>\n
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
A few years ago, it was probably beyond imagination that students
\nat traditional and modern Islamic boarding schools (pesantren)
\nwould be able to exchange ideas about Islamic teachings each day
\nregardless of which part of the country or world they were in.<\/p>\n
Thanks to revolutionary development of information technology,
\nthere are many pesantren and other Islamic schools here that will
\nsoon get access to the Internet.<\/p>\n
Assisted by U.S computer giant Microsoft and the Indonesia
\nInternet Service Provider Association (APJII), the U.S.-based
\nInternational Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) launched on
\nSaturday a digital Islamic library www.dilibrary.net.<\/p>\n
Dawam Rahardjo, the president of the IIIT in Indonesia, said
\nthe virtual library could provide fairly complete information
\nabout various Islamic trends in the country.<\/p>\n
\"Everyone from different backgrounds will be able to broaden
\ntheir knowledge about Islam anytime, anywhere,\" he said during
\nthe launch, during a modest ceremony at Paramadina University in
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
Marsudi W. Kisworo, the deputy head of the Paramadina
\nUniversity, said the establishment of the virtual library was
\nmandatory to boost pluralism in the country.<\/p>\n
\"This information technology supports democracy because
\neveryone can share information,\" he said, adding that it has
\ncapability to strengthen civil society.<\/p>\n
The virtual Islamic library will eventually provide literature
\non five major subjects: the Koran and other holy books, Islamic
\nepistemology, Islamic psychology, Islamic sociology, politics and
\nhuman rights. But for the time being, it only provides e-books,
\njournals, bulletins, academic papers and articles about Islamic
\nteachings from the IIIT database.<\/p>\n
Dawam, an economist, also said that the dilibrary.net website
\nwas expected to link some 100 pesantren across the country.<\/p>\n
Ida Ayu Rafiqoh, a researcher with IIIT Indonesia, added that
\nthe virtual library also would build a network with other Islamic
\nuniversities, high schools and institutions, including political
\nparties.<\/p>\n
IIIT Indonesia is responsible for administering the content of
\nthe digital library, including the updates to the collection. It
\nalso hosts virtual discussions and consultations on various
\nsubjects about Islam.<\/p>\n
Last week, an Islamic international conference recommended the
\nimprovement of educational materials for Islamic institutions to
\nprepare Muslims for the consequences of globalization.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/digital-islamic-library-launched-in-jakarta-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}