Digital Islamic library launched in Jakarta

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A few years ago, it was probably beyond imagination that students at traditional and modern Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) would be able to exchange ideas about Islamic teachings each day regardless of which part of the country or world they were in.

Thanks to revolutionary development of information technology, there are many pesantren and other Islamic schools here that will soon get access to the Internet.

Assisted by U.S computer giant Microsoft and the Indonesia Internet Service Provider Association (APJII), the U.S.-based International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) launched on Saturday a digital Islamic library www.dilibrary.net.

Dawam Rahardjo, the president of the IIIT in Indonesia, said the virtual library could provide fairly complete information about various Islamic trends in the country.

"Everyone from different backgrounds will be able to broaden their knowledge about Islam anytime, anywhere," he said during the launch, during a modest ceremony at Paramadina University in Jakarta.

Marsudi W. Kisworo, the deputy head of the Paramadina University, said the establishment of the virtual library was mandatory to boost pluralism in the country.

"This information technology supports democracy because everyone can share information," he said, adding that it has capability to strengthen civil society.

The virtual Islamic library will eventually provide literature on five major subjects: the Koran and other holy books, Islamic epistemology, Islamic psychology, Islamic sociology, politics and human rights. But for the time being, it only provides e-books, journals, bulletins, academic papers and articles about Islamic teachings from the IIIT database.

Dawam, an economist, also said that the dilibrary.net website was expected to link some 100 pesantren across the country.

Ida Ayu Rafiqoh, a researcher with IIIT Indonesia, added that the virtual library also would build a network with other Islamic universities, high schools and institutions, including political parties.

IIIT Indonesia is responsible for administering the content of the digital library, including the updates to the collection. It also hosts virtual discussions and consultations on various subjects about Islam.

Last week, an Islamic international conference recommended the improvement of educational materials for Islamic institutions to prepare Muslims for the consequences of globalization.