The weekly study session of Kitab Tahliyah wa Targhib, guided by Dr. KH Heryono Tardjono, proceeded as usual on the evening of Wednesday, November 25th. However, there was something remarkable about the number of students participating in the session – an additional ten students, and what sets them apart is their non-Muslim backgrounds.
These ten 9th-grade students hail from Tirta Amarta Christian School, under the auspices of BPK Penabur, in Cinere, Depok, West Java. Among them, eight follow the Christian faith, one is a Muslim, and one is a Buddhist. They were sent to our Pesantren, Aksara Pinggir, for a ‘social study’ program focused on exploring the diversity and culture within Kampung Sawah, Pondok Melati Sub-district, Bekasi City, West Java.
Before starting their study session (Ngaji), I invited them to participate in an istighotsah session. Without any hesitation, they joined in the religious supplication without creating any disruption or commotion. Subsequently, Dr. Hery, as Dr. Heryono Tardjono is affectionately known, commenced the study session with a brief talk about the significance of Santri Day, explaining what, how, why, and who the santri are.
At the end of the session, a question-and-answer period was opened. It was around 10:00 PM, and the students were far from sleepy; instead, they posed thought-provoking questions. Among these inquiries was one about why Muslims engage in conflicts with other Muslims, such as the case of Iraq versus Kuwait in 1990. They also inquired about Aksara Pegon and the permissibility of interfaith marriages.
Dr. Heryono provided articulate responses, stating, “Aksara Pegon is a script developed by Javanese scholars, primarily used as the main language in pesantren curricula, and also as a method to deceive Snouck Hurgronje, so that pesantren’s strategies against colonialism wouldn’t be discovered.”
Regarding interfaith marriages, he added, “In Islam, such marriages are only permissible with the People of the Book, but nowadays, they are virtually nonexistent. Legally in Indonesia, there is no clear provision for it, although it remains a subject of debate among academics. Nonetheless, if you encounter an interfaith couple in Indonesia, one of them likely converted to the other’s religion after marriage.” With clarity, Dr. Heryono provided these answers, and the students attentively listened, some even taking notes.
As for the Iraq versus Kuwait conflict, I was given the opportunity to respond. My explanation was as follows: “The Iraq-Kuwait conflict was not a religious war; it was primarily an economic war, a battle for control over oil resources. The main trigger was Kuwait’s slant drilling, which extracted oil from beneath Iraqi territory. Iraq couldn’t tolerate this, leading to the conflict.” After my brief response, the evening study session came to a close.
The following day, these ten guest students were divided into two rooms. On Thursday (October 26th), they woke up early and heard the morning congregation prayer, which was performed in our communal living area. Afterward, they visited significant locations in Kampung Sawah, including the Pasundan Christian Church, the Servatius Catholic Church, and the Yasfi Islamic Boarding School. In the evening, they returned to our pesantren, Aksara Pinggir.
After sharing a communal dinner, they immediately joined our study session again, participating in the istighotsah and the study of Kitab Fathul Qorib until its completion. Additionally, they assisted in guiding the beginner-level students during their ablution practice. The joy and camaraderie among the youth in our complex were apparent. They quickly integrated with our Aksara Pinggir students. While the differences between us and them were evident, it did not deter them from interacting with their fellow future citizens.
Communal Meals
The following day, before the Friday prayer, they bid farewell. Their mentors were present, and they exchanged stories of their experiences. Jova Gilbert expressed, “I never expected that during my three days at Aksara Pinggir, the Muslim people would care so much about us, giving us attention and care, despite our being a minority. This is a new experience for me.”
Jesse Pangabean added, “Aksara’s pesantren is incredibly comfortable. I didn’t expect to find such a clean and well-organized pesantren. The library is comprehensive, and the residents are courteous. It’s an ideal environment for learning,” said the Batak youth who enjoys reading.
Not to be left behind, Dorian, the group’s leader, offered his testimony. He said, “In Kampung Sawah, we learned about diversity, how we can listen to the call to prayer and the church bells simultaneously. Moreover, Aksara’s pesantren taught me how to live together, share meals, experience the queue for bathing, and foster unity, of course.”
It turns out that these students felt at home during their stay at Aksara Pinggir. The sense of togetherness was a novel experience for them, especially the harmony amid their differences. They expressed their desire to return to our pesantren at some point in the future.
Aksara Pinggir, for your information, was founded by Dr. KH Heriyono Tardjono in 2021. It is located at Jalan Swadaya I Gang H Timin, RT.02/RW.002, Jatimurni, Pondok Melati Sub-district, Bekasi City, West Java.
This pesantren primarily accommodates students who are also pursuing higher education in Jakarta and local children in the vicinity. Its core activities include Madrasah Diniyah, Istighotsah, and Literary Corners. Despite being established for just two years, it has become a hub for interfaith studies and a research site for students exploring various religious dimensions.