President wants Islamic student scouts movement revitalized

Bandung, NU Online
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has instructed ministers, governors, and district heads to revitalize the traditional Muslim student scouts movement.

"I have instructed the coordinating minister for people`s welfare, the national education minister, governors, district heads and mayors to encourage the revitalization of scout organizations at Islamic boarding schools," President Yudhoyono said at the opening of a Santri Nusantara Scouts 2009 camping at Kiarapayung camping resort in Sumedang district, West Java, on Wednesday.<>

According to the president, the traditional Muslim school student scout movement had an important role to play in national character building and Islamic vision in Indonesia.

The president said the students had the potential to absorb and develop science and technology to keep up with the times, with the dynamism of development.

"The government will encourage Islamic students to have Arabic and English language ability and to master science and technology, because students at Islamic boarding schools study not only religion-related subjects but also sociology and technology," President Yudhoyono said.

The Santri Nusantara Scouts 2009 (Archipelagic Muslim Students Scouts 2009) which is effective from June 15-20, 2009 will perform various scout-related activities and a bazaar of creations of the archipelatic students scouts.

The activity was themed "Indonesian Muslim Students Scouts Determined to Realize National Unity and Integrity in the Framework of Unity in Diversity."

President Yudhoyono said the students scout movement at the Islamic boarding schools should be supported by all parties as part of the National Scouts Movement Revitalization.

He pointed out that the scouts movement was not new at the Islamic boarding schools which had an important part in the struggle for independence and the fight against illiteracy and ignorance in the community.

"The Indonesian Scouts Movement in the past three years has been improved significantly and able change the public view on the the movement," the president said.

He expressed hope that the younger generation including the students of Islamic boarding schools would have a great interest in the scouts movement.

On the occasion the president was accompanied by First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, Religious Affairs Minister Maftuh Basuni, Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari, Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi, Communication and Information Minister Muhammad Nuh, and West Java Governor Ahmad Heriyawan. (dar)