Youths active during Ramadhan

Youths active during Ramadhan

JAKARTA (JP): For Moslem youth organizations the fasting month of Ramadhan is a time to step up their faith propagation activities and increase social solidarity.

Imaduddin Abdullah, chairman of the Al-Azhar Youth Islamic Study Club, said that another objective is self improvement.

"Self improvement comes not only from ritual activities, but through religious understanding," he said.

The Al-Azhar Youth Islamic Study Club, founded in 1971, is the first mosque-based youth organization in the country. It is based at the Al-Azhar grand mosque on Jl. Sisingamangaraja in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta.

The organization was also founded in response to the rise of youth gangs in the capital and has inspired other youths to found organizations at their mosques.

With more than 1,000 members between 16 and 33 years old, the Al-Azhar club conducts a number of religious and social activities, many at no charge, including a course on Islamic affairs and Koran reading.

Mass circumcision, charity bazaars and free medical services are also part of its social programs.

Seven programs

This year the Al-Azhar club is holding seven programs, including radio talk shows, courses on Koran reading and Islamic affairs, i'tikaf (contemplation), and an Idul Fitri card drawing contest.

Small Talk will be aired on Radio Bahana 30 minutes before the daily breaking of the fast while public discussions will be held every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Al-Azhar mosque.

Public Koran reading and Islamic courses will be held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Sunda Kelapa Moslem Youth organization based at the Sunda Kelapa Mosque in Menteng, Central Jakarta, will hold its own Ramadhan discussions, courses, bazaars and seminars.

The discussion, open to the public every Sunday at the Sunda Kelapa grand mosque, will feature Toto Tasmara, Arief Rahman and Dr. Dadang Hawari as speakers. Comedian Dedi Gumelar (also known as Mi'ing), musicians Faturrachman and Dwiki Darmawan, singer Widi, artist Maudy Koesnadi, and badminton players Joko Supriyanto and Ricky Subagja are also scheduled to attend.

The organization's talk show, to be aired daily on Suara Kejayaan at 5 p.m., will feature noted ulemas, scholars, artists and public figures including Ali Yafie, Imaduddin Abrurrochim, Dadang Hawari, Toto Tasmara, Dewi Motik Pramono, Zakky Mubarak, Dedy Mizwar, Neno Warisman, Meisaroh ali, Abdurrahman Arroisy, Nibras Salim and MS Ka'ban. (29)