Effectiveness of policy on Muslim wear questioned

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

What works for you might not work for others, right? That might be the case with public schools in West Jakarta which -- on the order of the mayor -- will try to follow Islamic schools in requiring students to wear Islamic attire and to perform religious rituals.

"It is likely that it (the requirement) will be ineffective due to the characteristics of public schools," said Wardi Isman, the principal of Islamic school SMU Al Azhar 1 in South Jakarta.

Wardi said the move could prove more problematic than beneficial because not all students in public schools are Muslim.

"What's good for Islamic schools does not necessarily fit in public schools, and vice versa," said Wardi.

At his school, all first and second-year female students are required to wear a Muslim headdress, long-sleeved shirts and long skirts. The policy was introduced two years ago.

Next year, third-year female students at the school will also be required to adhere to this dress code. There is no special dress code for male students because according to Koran, the aurat (nakedness) of the man is only from the navel to the knees.

Starting next academic year, all public schools in West Jakarta will require both boys and girls to wear Muslim attire every Friday. Some school principals told The Jakarta Post boys would be required to wear a baju koko (a long-sleeved, collarless shirt) and peci (cap).

The policy was formulated according to the instructions of the West Jakarta mayor, who has also ordered public schools to require students to perform religious rituals.

The policy is meant to increase the faith and religious knowledge of students, according to the mayor's instructions, which were signed last year.

Many school principals have welcomed the policy in the hope that it will help cut down on brawls, robberies and drug offenses committed by students.

But whether making students wear Muslim clothes will have any effect on their behavior is questionable.

Citra, who is in her second year at a junior high school in Rawamangun, East Jakarta, said her school had long required Muslim students to wear Islamic attire on Fridays.

"But it doesn't have any impact on my faith or attitude," Citra said, adding that what was important to her was what she learned from the family.

Ria, whose daughter goes to an elementary school in West Jakarta, also expressed doubt that the new policy would prove effective.

"It's nonsense to think that clothes will change attitudes. The most important thing is the education at school, as well as at home and in society," she said.

Refa, a first-year student at SMU Al-Azhar 1, looked surprised when he learned about the policy.

"Why should they (schools) require students to wear a baju koko ... it's too hot to wear in Jakarta," he said.