Muslim youths go high-tech with Islamic propagation

Muslim youths go high-tech with Islamic propagation

By Yudha Kartohadiprodjo

JAKARTA (JP): Once seen as estranged, technology and religion
are drawing closer together. In many cases, the credit goes to
innovative young people.

Religion courting technology has been seen since the birth of
radio and television stations in Indonesia decades ago. Today,
all stations air a great variety of religious programming.

However, in the past couple of years, youths from various
Islamic organizations have created many popular religious shows
targeting younger audiences.

Customarily, during the holy month of Ramadhan the frequency
of such religious shows increases, with new innovations each
year.

This year, one of these innovations is offered by the Islamic
Youth of Sunda Kelapa Mosque (RISKA). Established in 1975, RISKA
is ready to embrace the technology of the Internet to propagate
Islamic teachings.

The effort started two years ago when RISKA collaborated with
an internet service provider to create an informational homepage
on the net. The homepage contained the organization's history,
address and other essential information.

RISKA's fling with technology did not stop with their
homepage. Realizing the internet's potential, it also began an e-
mail mailing list. The mailing list enabled RISKA to keep its
members informed about upcoming events, publish articles and hold
a virtual discussion forum; all with minimum effort, yet maximum
efficiency.

Last year, RISKA started their virtual discussion forum. Held
four times during last year's Ramadhan, the forum attracted young
Indonesian Muslims from around the globe. Through a chat group
already popular among the youths, the forum's participants typed
questions and received answers in a matter of seconds.

"The forum had its own advantages. Its less intimidating
environment makes many of the participants feel comfortable
asking critical questions," said Dolly Deseka, who is responsible
for the organization's data management. He added that on average
there were 50 participants for each forum.

Dolly said that the most popular forum was the one discussing
love and matchmaking.

Last year, RISKA also sold parcels through its homepage, but
due to the monetary crisis this service will not be held this
year.

RISKA's initial brush with technology started years before its
experiments on the internet, with a radio talk show held during
Ramadhan.

Claiming to be the innovators of such an event, RISKA started
their show 15 years ago. Working with a youth radio station, the
program, called Opera (Ramadhan Talk Show), was a success and was
imitated by many other youth clubs.

Although the talk show's topics change every year, lately the
topics have focused on contemporary Islamic life among
metropolitan youths. A glimpse at RISKA's topic list for this
year's program would show the diversity of interests of the
show's listeners.

This year's show will be aired by 5 a sec radio station (105.4
FM) one hour prior to breaking of the fast every day during
Ramadhan. The topics range from the fundamental Ramadhan theme of
"Controlling Desires" to more general issues like "Preparing for
The 21st Century". Other topics include the Islamic concept of
economy, and Islam and culture.

In accordance to the current political conditions, one of the
talk shows will discuss freedom of speech, of course in the
context of the Muslim perspective.

The talk show will also feature guests from various
backgrounds, such as ulema, psychologists and entrepreneurs.

The show will also feature well-known psychologist Sartono
Mukadis in a show titled "Preparing for The 21st Century". The
show will discuss what and how young Muslims can prepare to face
the challenges of the coming millennium.

RISKA is not the only youth organization which will organize
religious talk shows during Ramadhan. The Islamic Youth Study
Club of Al-Azhar Mosque (YISC) in South Jakarta will also
organize similar talk shows which will be aired by Trijaya FM
(104.75). Unlike RISKA's shows, which will be aired just before
breaking the fast, YISC's Odipus (conversation in the fasting
month) will be aired during the pre-dawn meal time, between 3
a.m. and 5 a.m.

The talk show will be hosted by members of the club who have
received special training.

Some radio stations, like Prambors Rasisonia FM (102.3), will
organize their own Ramadhan talk shows. Opus, the name of
Prambors' show, will be held 45 minutes prior to the breaking of
the fast, and will also target young Muslims. Ranked among the
most popular youth radio stations in Jakarta, Prambors will air
shows on popular topics like the current reform drive.

"What is the meaning of reform from the Islamic perspective?
Is demonstrating an appropriate way to convey opinions? Such
issues will be discussed on our show," said Nadia, the radio's
public relations and promotions liaison.

According to Nadia, every year Prambors has received good
reviews from both the audience and the show's advertisers. This
year, the show will be sponsored by two brewery companies.

The courage to try something new, combined with the youths'
religious devotion, seems to be an urge that most people take for
granted. Opus, Opera and Odipus demonstrate how such
drive can be directed toward constructive and educational
efforts.