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Ramadan Rest
[Indonesia] RAMADAN REST: With the passing of another year, construction of the Mutiara Hati Beriman Pesantren (Koran learning centre) has made further progress. Toilet facilities and one storey of guestrooms have already been built. Foundations for the upper floors of the pagoda-style mosque and classrooms for the santri (students of Islamic schools) have also been put in place. With construction starting on Ramadan 2006, the pesantren has thus far received grants of 220 million rupiah (about US$23,400) from both the governments of Salatiga and Semarang, says Iskandar Abdurrahman (in white), founder of the Islamic school. However, a major part of the construction expenditure continues to come from the bookshop he runs and his dakwah (religious proselytizing) work -- the latter of which has grown tremendously since 2007.
Abdurrahman (b. 1965), or Thio Yit Po, was born in Lampung, Sumatra, to a Hakha Chinese father and a Sundanese mother from Cirebon, west Java. His father was a Christian reverend who converted to Islam when Abdurrahman was ten after learning more about the religion. Abdurrahman converted in 1985 and went on the hajj in 1997. Since young, he lived in Chinese residential areas but studied in government schools. As such, he had both Chinese and pribumi (indigenous) friends. His father raised him as a Chinese son, encouraging him to do business and not to work for someone else. However, Abdurrahman seems more interested in education. His Bachelor degree was in Islamic Education. His Master was in Development Studies. To support himself, he came to Salatiga, central Java, in 1985 to work in a textile factory. Over the years, while he was in charge of quality control at the factory, his work as a kyai (religious teacher) grew. He eventually decided to build the pesantren.
The mosque is designed like a pagoda because he wants to remind the believers that they should learn and adopt different perspectives on religious and societal issues. It is also to illustrate the fact that there is Islamic architecture from China, says Abdurrahman. The mosque has five floors, referencing the five pillars of Islam. Apart from imparting religious knowledge, Abdurrahman hopes to incorporate lessons on business communication and entrepreneurship in his pesantren. At the same time, he aims to improve the living conditions of the residents beside the mosque through the setting up of cottage industries and a cooperative. While his plan sounds haphazard, Abdurrahman believes Allah will reward his positive attitude and hard work.
On the 13th day of Ramadan 2008, the Islamic school plays host to a programme initiated by the newspaper "Suara Merdeka" to introduce elements of journalism to the santri from different pesantren in Salatiga. Participants are seen breaking fast at the end of the event, possibly the highlight of the day.
At the end of a hectic day, having taken a shower at home, Abdurrahman is seen back at the mosque for Tadarus (taking turns to recite the Koran, often performed during the fasting month). While there are teachers who work at his pesantren, Abdurrahman feels that the demarcation between teachers and students is always fluid. In his Islamic centre, it is more important for those who know certain things to educate those who don't. At the end of the recital, the kyai is seen taking a rest at the mosque.
Ramadan Rest
[Indonesia] RAMADAN REST: With the passing of another year, construction of the Mutiara Hati Beriman Pesantren (Koran learning centre) has made further progress. Toilet facilities and one storey of guestrooms have already been built. Foundations for the upper floors of the pagoda-style mosque and classrooms for the santri (students of Islamic schools) have also been put in place. With construction starting on Ramadan 2006, the pesantren has thus far received grants of 220 million rupiah (about US$23,400) from both the governments of Salatiga and Semarang, says Iskandar Abdurrahman (in white), founder of the Islamic school. However, a major part of the construction expenditure continues to come from the bookshop he runs and his dakwah (religious proselytizing) work -- the latter of which has grown tremendously since 2007.
Abdurrahman (b. 1965), or Thio Yit Po, was born in Lampung, Sumatra, to a Hakha Chinese father and a Sundanese mother from Cirebon, west Java. His father was a Christian reverend who converted to Islam when Abdurrahman was ten after learning more about the religion. Abdurrahman converted in 1985 and went on the hajj in 1997. Since young, he lived in Chinese residential areas but studied in government schools. As such, he had both Chinese and pribumi (indigenous) friends. His father raised him as a Chinese son, encouraging him to do business and not to work for someone else. However, Abdurrahman seems more interested in education. His Bachelor degree was in Islamic Education. His Master was in Development Studies. To support himself, he came to Salatiga, central Java, in 1985 to work in a textile factory. Over the years, while he was in charge of quality control at the factory, his work as a kyai (religious teacher) grew. He eventually decided to build the pesantren.
The mosque is designed like a pagoda because he wants to remind the believers that they should learn and adopt different perspectives on religious and societal issues. It is also to illustrate the fact that there is Islamic architecture from China, says Abdurrahman. The mosque has five floors, referencing the five pillars of Islam. Apart from imparting religious knowledge, Abdurrahman hopes to incorporate lessons on business communication and entrepreneurship in his pesantren. At the same time, he aims to improve the living conditions of the residents beside the mosque through the setting up of cottage industries and a cooperative. While his plan sounds haphazard, Abdurrahman believes Allah will reward his positive attitude and hard work.
On the 13th day of Ramadan 2008, the Islamic school plays host to a programme initiated by the newspaper "Suara Merdeka" to introduce elements of journalism to the santri from different pesantren in Salatiga. Participants are seen breaking fast at the end of the event, possibly the highlight of the day.
At the end of a hectic day, having taken a shower at home, Abdurrahman is seen back at the mosque for Tadarus (taking turns to recite the Koran, often performed during the fasting month). While there are teachers who work at his pesantren, Abdurrahman feels that the demarcation between teachers and students is always fluid. In his Islamic centre, it is more important for those who know certain things to educate those who don't. At the end of the recital, the kyai is seen taking a rest at the mosque.