The skills and mentality of santri cannot be underestimated. With each passing day, they continue to achieve various accomplishments. Their achievements are not only recognized at the regional and national levels, but they are also making their mark on the international stage.
Muhammad Husain Rifa’i, a santri from Pondok Pesantren Sabilurrosyad Gasek, Malang City, East Java, recently achieved success on the international stage. Remarkably, Husain, who is also a student at UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang, made his nation proud at the 2nd Asian Arabic Debating Championship (AADC) Qatar Debate 2023. The event took place in Muscat, Oman, from January 26, 2023, to February 3, 2023. He did not participate alone but was accompanied by three other students from the Arabic Language and Literature Program at the Faculty of Humanities, UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang.
This prestigious biennial event attracted hundreds of participants from various countries. According to Husain, this achievement did not come easily. It involved a struggle that is hard to describe in words. On the other hand, Husain explained that Indonesians possess extraordinary potential and gifted talents, especially in language proficiency, including Arabic, English, and others.
“In my observation, countries like Korea and Vietnam struggle in international debates, mainly due to their difficulty in using foreign languages. We Indonesians, however, are able to master various languages, particularly Arabic, which I have honed for debating,” he explained during a phone interview on Sunday (18/06/2023).
A futsal enthusiast, Husain continually motivates his younger peers and friends by pointing out that foreign thought patterns are not that different from those in Indonesia. He emphasizes the importance of students becoming involved and truly committed to their pursuits, a principle he personally experienced after participating in Arabic debates and interacting with foreign debaters.
“Even though we are from rural or remote areas of Indonesia, like myself, we are actually capable and can compete on the international stage,” clarified Husain, who hails from a rural area.
This debater from Pelem Village, Campurdarat District, Tulungagung Regency, competed in Qatar against 320 participants from 18 countries, representing 42 universities. The participating countries included Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, India, Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan, Azerbaijan, Australia, Lebanon, Pakistan, Malaysia, Palestine, North Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and Yemen.
“I also had debates against representatives from Qatar, Lebanon, and Vietnam. When it comes to logical reasoning and problem analysis, they aren’t far ahead. We can actually compete in all aspects, not just in Arabic debates,” he added.
Successful Tips
Husain shared tips for becoming competitive on the global stage from his own experiences. According to him, santri, pupils, university students, and teenagers need to recognize their own potential. For instance, he himself found his passion and joy in Arabic debates.
“First, discover what you love, whether it’s singing or something else. Determine if it truly aligns with your potential. Then, turn that potential into a hobby,” he suggested.
During his high school years, Husain began learning Arabic. He faced many failures before tasting success. It was during his university years that he discovered these tips and began exploring his potential. He emphasizes turning your potential into a hobby.
“When you immerse yourself in it, it no longer feels like a burden because it has become a hobby,” he clarified.
Another tip from this sixth-semester student is to create a drive within yourself. Make it a habit to learn independently beyond group practices, campus exercises, or school lessons, and teach yourself debate techniques and argument presentation beyond the standard curriculum.
“Beyond the main lessons I received, I taught myself how to reach the level desired by global debaters,” he recalled.
This graduate of Al-Kamal Islamic Boarding School in Blitar believes possessing public speaking skills is an absolute requirement. As it takes months, even years, to develop, critical thinking skills should be balanced with the development of public speaking skills.
“This is what will enable you to educate many people. Also, it is one of the best things to improve the quality of a young person,” he mentioned.
Pesantren Supports Logical Reasoning
According to Husain, international debate competitions require logical reasoning to analyze case studies and evidence, much like religious school debates. He experienced this firsthand during his years in pesantren.
The difference between these debates and the Bahtsul Masail (Islamic legal debate) lies in the subject of the debate. If Bahtsul Masail debates focus on the legal aspects of contemporary phenomena, rituals, muamalah, and so on. Meanwhile the debate explains general and worldly matters. These range from genetic engineering, political interference in sports, to financial issues in private companies, and so on.
“When discussing general issues in the world, such as politics, health, and economics, we first need to understand the basis of the problem. Then, we examine why such problems exist, analyzing them from educational, political, and other perspectives,” he explained.
Meanwhile, in Bahtsul Masail, Husain says that one must use i’tibar (consideration), usul fikih (Islamic jurisprudence), and a few ibarot (sources). In debates, it’s similar; arguments must be based on data. The evidence, data, and research location must be clearly indicated.
“Bahtsul Masail peers actually have thinking logics that can also be used in Arabic debates,” he admitted.
The student, whose life motto is “Dream until others laugh at you, your life is your choice,” calls on santri, pupils, and youths to rise up. He encourages the younger generation to dream genuinely, not just to idly fantasize. He advocates dreaming by seeking ways to achieve those dreams.
He believes that regardless of how rural a santri’s background is, Allah has granted us the same brains, mouths, and food. Therefore, why shouldn’t we compete with foreigners?
Husain acknowledges that he truly comes from a village in Tulungagung with a strong local accent. Yet who would have thought that a villager could raise the red and white flag (The Flag of Indonesia) on the international stage?
“Dare to dream as high as possible. Then don’t forget to always strive and prepare to achieve your dreams,” concluded the alumnus of MTs Darul Hikmah and MAN 3 Blitar.