Islamic courses offer values (and boredom)

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.