Next is the Star column (aka. Bintang), whose function is to narrate the achievements of the santri. For example, some santri are accepted by foreign campuses, calligraphy champions throughout Southeast Asia, essay competitions throughout Southeast Asia, international Olympic champions, and others. This can dispel accusations and stereotypes from some people who underestimate the santri who are considered unable to compete with non-pesantren people.
Writing is a fantastic thing. Why can it be cool? Because the brain that used to be in a comfortable space by writing is forced to spin out and spark an idea of words. For those who are still beginners, this is very difficult. So, to get the idea of words out of the brain, you need to be provoked by reading reference books. Those who are already excellent in the world of literacy must say “difficult but fun”.
Consciously or not, writing will make us have its own value. Will Durant said, “Scripta manent, verb volant” (the written word lasts, the spoken word perishes). If it is infused with all the soul, it is quite true that a written work will always live on. If only spoken words will surely disappear one day, because the person who says it will also die and if it is only put in the brain, the memory ratio of the human brain is also not long.
Therefore, the scholars used to teach us to always be literate – read and then write. As a result, many books of turats by previous scholars are scattered in various parts of the world. In Islamic boarding schools, they are more familiar with a yellow book. With the turats book’s existence, it is a subtle criticism for all of us to inherit the literacy milestones.
Indeed, our knowledge is not as good as the previous scholars. Compared, it may feel very far away, like “baina sama’ wa sumurisat” (like the sky and a dry well). But, of course, our knowledge is categorized as well, so we still need to study, study, and study. Meanwhile, previous scholars have had high scientific competence and mastered various disciplines.