Monday 19 September 2011

What is Going Wrong with Us?

Actually question raised here is referring to specific matter. If put more frankly and directly, it will sound like: Why (some) santriwati {woman student in Islamic boarding school, pesantren} do remove their jilbabs after no longer living in pesantren? Obviously there is no simple answer, if any, to this complex and multi-layered situation.


The reader, if any, need to keep in his mind that this, written in warnet, might be a bit too subjective and kinda personal in some sense. Opinions are very hopefully waited to make me little bit know the actual map of this problem. I just list question I want to ask.

Underlying idea behind this question is if difference is expected between those educated in pesantren 24 hours and those who are not, then why the result of both educational systems are not really different in terms of norms that are strictly emphasized in all pesantren without a single exception. Jilbab is but a simple, yet visible, example of those norms. I mean by "visible" literally, for if we bring the discussion to another "invisible" matters, it will be, at least, not as easy as the topic already chosen. And again, it is a culmination point from which point of view the distinction between santri and non-santri is usually made.

When a santri lives in pesantren, she is required to observe norms which, seen from non-santri people in Indonesian context, might seem to be oppressive. To assure her doing her obligation, certain rules are applied, which, when violated, can mean punishment. Then we can the result of this, no santri can be seen unveiled publicly within pesantren environment.

The next question to answer is does it last when she is no longer living in pesantren, on holiday or after graduation? We see at campuses and boarding houses santri who no longer wear jilbab as usually they do in pesantren. Although, I guess, those who keeps wearing their jilbab are more in number compared to those who do not, the second group seem to be increasing, thanks to technology information advancement.

Facebook is undoubtedly in forefront in this process of socializing private stuffs, if this term is accepted.

For now, it's enough. I have to go ... hopefully soon finished :) another unfinished writing... :D


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