Islamic courses offer values (and boredom)

Leo Wahyudi S., Contributor, Jakarta

During the Ramadhan fasting month, many schools have time off to give Muslim students the opportunity to perform their religious obligations. Some of the students shared their opinions on the Islamic short-courses offered at some schools with The Jakarta Post.

Fakhri, 12, is in the first year at the Lab School junior high school in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta.

I felt so exhausted when I had to join the three-day Islamic course last week because I was fasting and not getting enough sleep. Each participant must stay at school during the course.

Actually, the program was cool, because we had a lot of fun programs including quizzes, doing Muslim art and even academic games.

But the art performance was the most interesting part. We were put into groups of 10 each and performed plays based on traditional Islamic stories.

Doing those activities, I managed to learn teamwork with my friends. I also learned to be more competitive against other students. Above all, I learned how to perform the Islamic prayer in a more detailed and correct way.

I agree that such a course is quite important. But I guess it would have been better if the course was done a few weeks before Ramadhan so we could apply the good values we learn in real life during the fasting month.

In short, I'm glad I did the course.

Kuyu, 18, a third year student at SMU 6 public high school on Jl. Mahakam 1, South Jakarta.

Honestly, I have only done the Islamic short-course at school once. The last time was six years ago when I was a first year junior high student.

I don't see the benefit of the course. I don't even see any moral values to be learned, because it was so boring. The course was only about Holy Koran recital and Tarawih (evening prayer) after breaking the fast together. Boring!

Performing religious obligations are a very personal matter, I think. And I believe that the course won't be effective enough to change anyone's attitude. Perhaps some will change for a while, but later we'll return to our old behavior.

I'm sure that my friends who do take part, do so simply because they get to go to Puncak for three days. The outdoor fun is more interesting.

Fitri, 17, is a third year student at Bunda Kandung high school on Jl. Poltangan, Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta.

This year my school's Student Council (OSIS) had a short trip to Puncak for a three-day religious seminar.

I didn't go because my friends weren't going. So, what would have been the point? Actually, I'm not fond of social gatherings like that anyway.

I have not taken part in those kinds of activities for the last two years. I was going to do it in my first year of high school but I had to cancel because it was my time of the month. Muslim females are barred from all religious activities during menstruation.

I do, however, support the Islamic short-course as it will improve some students' poor attitudes. Unfortunately, many of my classmates still can't behave properly, even after they do the course. The boys continue their violent gang fights with other schools, and the girls start smoking at school. It's useless.

Nevertheless, I'm still happy to see that now both the boys and girls are wearing Muslim clothes during the course, although the girls still wear tight shirts or pants, which of course is not allowed.

I think Muslim youths should have joined the mosque youth organizations if they wanted to learn Islam better so they can pick up proper moral values and apply them in real life. Otherwise, student brawls will just get more brutal as they lose their sense of morality.

Destyana, 17, a third year student at SMU 60 public high school in Kemang Timur, South Jakarta.

My school didn't have the course this year. I feel lucky though, because I don't have to go to school until noon. It's impossible to attend another course in the morning. I'd be so sleepy the whole day (due to the fasting and 3 a.m. meal and prayer).

I realize the Islamic course is important. I'm sure most of my friends, myself included, are reluctant to do our daily prayers at home.

It's different if we do the mass prayer. It is very inspiring. Honestly, I'm too lazy to pray, because I always feel exhausted after school in the afternoons.

The important value of religion, however, is useless if so many students continue to get drunk, take drugs and fornicate.

Personally, I feel upset about those things. I wonder why they are destroying their lives. I think having fun doesn't have to be in that way, right?

Jessica, 16, is in her second year at the Lab School high school in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta.

The last time I took the Islamic short-course at school was when I was in my first year of junior high. I learned how to overcome my laziness.

But, I still remember that the course was very dull and boring. Lucky that our teachers had games and discussion which were fun and attracted me to join.

After the course, I had a better understanding of the Koran. Now I'm willing to perform the Tarawih and surprisingly I feel strong enough while fasting.

Such a course is very important for teenagers to pick up moral values. It will help them to decide between good and evil.

I think the course should be conducted in a more exciting way, though, to attract the students. Three days is enough because it is not too long and students won't get too bored.

Andi, 15, is in his third year at SLTP 62 public junior high school in Rawa Bunga, East Jakarta.

It's too bad that my school is not offering the Islamic short- course this year. I think it's very important, although sometimes it's very dull.

Teachers in charge always got angry with students who were in a bad mood or bored.

The reason I took part in the course before was to have fun and meet new friends. It also broadened my point of view on religions.

The course can help change some students' attitudes. I really hope it can lessen the student brawls.

I used to get involved in those gang fights and even experimented with drugs. My schoolmates had influenced me to do so. But I have quit now and hope that all my friends will also follow my example.

Nunuk, 17, is in the third year of SMU 24 public high school on Jl. Gelora 1, Central Jakarta.

The Islamic short-course, to take place later this month, is a good idea as it will help improve our demeanor.

The course will focus on Islamic activities and it's much better for us than spending our time sleeping or doing other stuff during Ramadhan.

I don't expect too much from other course participants. I just know that their attitudes will be slightly improved after the course. But it isn't bad after all, is it?

This year, as a member of the committee, My friends and I will organize the course in Puncak. Not all students can participate though, perhaps only 60 out of a hundred. But that's okay. Maybe those are the ones who would just be bored.

So we are planning to make it more interesting and fun. There will be a guest speaker and of course games. I just hope that other students won't see the course as a waste of time. I hope we can all be optimistic, because that will improve our way of life as youths.