Children should be taught to kiss hands

Children should be taught to kiss hands

JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar
Anas says the old practice of greeting elders by kissing the back
of their hands should be revived because, he says, the gesture
conveys both love and respect at the same time.

"Greeting by kissing the hand is rarely practiced now," Azwar
said on Saturday in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Antara reported.

Parents, teachers and religious instructors should help in
making the greeting a habit among young people again, he added.

He was officiating at a "graduation" ceremony for children
leaving kindergartens run by the East Kalimantan Forum of
Communication for Mosque Youths at Samarinda's main mosque.

Azwar, who is the chairman of the forum, said that it was
generally easier to teach children good manners and virtues while
they were still at a young age.

"So they should be taught good habits which they will carry
into adulthood." he said. "Love is powerful in protecting people
against the negative effects of the globalization."

Love of parents and teachers was an important part of
leadership, he said. "Our leaders, even many world leaders, are
people who love and respect their parents and teachers."

Azwar asked regency heads and governors to try to increase the
number of religious instructors in the regions, to ensure the
teaching of children from an early age.

"The government sets great store by the development of
children's virtues," he said. (anr)