Muhammadiyah schools told to stay open

Muhammadiyah schools told to stay open

JAKARTA (JP): The Central Java chapter of the Muslim
organization Muhammadiyah has called on schools under its
auspices to shun the government regulation which exempts students
from classes during the Ramadhan fasting month.

The chapter's head of educational affairs, Widadi, said in
Semarang that the Muhammadiyah-run schools were told to cut some
subjects and expand their religious classes during the fasting
month, which began last Thursday.

Muslims across the world abstain from eating, drinking,
smoking and sexual relations during daylight hours during the
holy month, before celebrating Idul Fitri, which falls on Jan. 9.

"We do not want students to waste their time on unnecessary
activities during the month-long holiday. For that reason we ask
Muhammadiyah schools here to keep open," Widadi told Antara on
Saturday.

A few days before the fasting month kicked off, the government
issued a decree suggesting that schools be closed during Ramadhan
to allow students to spend more time to learn spiritual and
ethical lessons at home.

The decree has sparked controversy, with those opposing the
regulation airing concerns about the possibility that the holiday
could backfire on the students.

Widadi criticized the government for issuing a hasty decree,
which resulted in schools finding difficulties in arranging
appropriate extracurricular activities for their students during
the holiday.

"Without any school activities or religious activities, the
holiday will be a waste of time," he said.

However, Widadi said the chapter's decision is not compulsory.

"If some of the Muhammadiyah schools are sure that the
religious activities in the community are enough for the
students, then the schools don't have to follow our policy,"
Widadi said.

The Muhammadiyah central board of executives has yet to
announce its stance on the government decree, but Widadi said it
did not object to the Central Java chapter's policy. (04)