Not Just Batik Kenang Haul Gus Dur, Student Activities Different Ethnics-Religion In Jombang To Make Tolerance

Students show the work of batik together in Jombang, East Java. BETWEEN/HO-GUSDURIAN Jombang

JAKARTA - As many as 80 Islamic and Christian students in Jombang Regency, East Java, jointly batik in the courtyard of the GKI Jombang Church commemorating the 4th anniversary of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur Principal of Madrasah al-Hikam Diwek, Jombang Regency Ika Maftuhah Mustiqowati said this activity involved five schools, namely Petra Jombang Christian elementary and junior high schools, MTs and MA al-Hikam Diwek, as well as MI Islamiyyah Perak Jombang. "This effort is a concrete step to teach the tolerance of students of different ethnicities and religions to get to know each other better and work together," said Ika Maftuhah in Jombang, Antara, Friday, January 13. He said intolerance needs to be prevented from an early age. Schools must have the courage to take the initiative to bring their students together with other groups, one of which is by joint batik activities. Petra Christian Middle School Principal, Jombang Regency, Jecqeline Adriana, added that his party emphasized the importance of independence in learning tolerance for all students. "We are currently promoted to be independent of Learning by the Ministry of Education and Culture. We need to welcome it. The meeting of students of Christians is part of that," he said. Before batik together, all participant students were invited to go closer to the Petra Christian Elementary School complex, including the nearby church. There, Islamic students had the opportunity to learn more about Christianity and churches. The activity was held in the courtyard of the Jombang GKI Church. Batik practices are carried out together. One cloth is done five to six students from different religions. They were asked to unite to produce joint works. "I'm happy with activities like this. I got a new friend from Islamic school," said Kezia Duma, a 7th grade student at Petra Christian Middle School, Jombang. The raid grouped with Adinda Lathifaturrohmah, a MTs Al-Hikam student. He and his colleagues also helped each other produce batik motifs to compete with other groups. Deputy Regent of Jombang Sumrbah added that this activity must be appreciated, as a progressive educational effort. According to him, every religion teaches the value of tolerance that needs to be implemented, one of which is through school activities. "We need to maintain the value of tolerance that Gus Dur has inherited. Whatever our identity, we are brothers. We must work together," said Sumrambah. GUSdurian Activist Jombang Aan Anshori stated that activities like this will continue to be carried out. Meeting interfaith students is the key to instilling tolerance. For him tolerance cannot only be achieved without exemplary. This activity was also attended by representatives of the Jombang Regency Education Office, the Jombang Regency Ministry of Religion Office, and representatives of interfaith organizations in Jombang.