'Pesantren' gets into green spirit

Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta

The latest bombings in Bali have put Islamic boarding schools, or pesantren, back in the spotlight, with many outside observers once again casting a wary eye on these schools as supposed breeding grounds for terrorists.

The truth is that there are pesantren like the newly established Ilmu Giri in Nogosari hamlet in Selopamioro, Bantul, Yogyakarta, that offer much more than religious instruction.

Ilmu Giri, which was established on May 4 last year, is not at all like other Islamic boarding schools. For one thing, the school is dedicated to teaching environmental conservation. And for another, all of the students are adults, most of them farmers, and none of them board at the school.

The school stands on three hectares of land and includes nine simple bamboo-walled buildings, including a mosque, meeting hall and classrooms.

All of the subjects at the school are introduced by teachers before being opened up for discussion, giving the students the opportunity to share ideas and opinions on a variety of subjects.

"It is impossible for students to live in a boardinghouse like at other pesantren. All of our students are farmers who have families back home. Their main responsibility is to earn a living for their families," said an executive at the school, Nasrudin Anshori.

Twice a week the students gather at the school to study Islamic teachings and to discuss social problems, though the talk often gets back to farming-related issues.

Nasrudin said the farmers' land was dry and unproductive, making regreening the area vital to their continued survival.

The school provided five seedlings to each of the 244 farmers, who planted the trees with the yield distributed to residents. Together, they helped regreen some 10 hectares of previously arid land.

"We are also learning how to farm using natural fertilizers. For a start, we received 50 kilograms of organic fertilizer three months ago to help make the land fertile again," said a student, Pardiman, 52.

The head of Nogosari hamlet, Nardi, 41, said the students at the school were also involved in protecting animals in the area, including working to stop illegal hunting.

The students are also involved in local culture, putting on monthly shows to help preserve such local traditions as the jathilan.

"We preserve all cultures and traditions, including those that come from a Hindu background. There is a positive side to every culture, that is what important here. We only look at the positive side without taking into account who created it," Nardi said.