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)