Islamic school opens amid controversy

Islamic school opens amid controversy

BANDUNG: Mayor Aa Tarmana officially opened on Tuesday a new
Islamic boarding school (pesantren) built on the notorious
Saritem red-light district complex, despite ongoing controversy.

The new boarding school, named At-Taubah (repentance), with
its 50 santri (students) is expected to gradually decrease the
number of prostitutes in the complex, which was established
during the Dutch colonial era.

The mayor proposed building the pesantren in the area. The
mayoralty constructed a three-story building (for the boarding
school) on a plot of land bought from locals for Rp 380 million
two months ago.

Since the building of the school was made public the number of
prostitutes in the complex has been decreasing.

Chief of the neighborhood Udin Suparman said there were now
about one hundred prostitutes in the complex. "There were more
than 250 in the past."

He acknowledged that conflicts between santri and the Saritem
visitors had erupted. "I don't know how to deal with it when
conflicts happen," he said. (25/sur)