Salam Camp: A Meaningful Journey

Saturday November 9th 2024

On November 8–9, 2024, Al Azhar 55 Primary School Yogyakarta held the annual SALAM (Pesantren Akhlak Mulia) program at Asram Edu Park, Mlati, Sleman. A total of 50 students of Grade 6 Umar and Grade 6 Ali participated in this two-day event, which aimed to build independence, responsibility, and life skills, as well as to deepen their understanding and practice of Islamic teachings in daily life.

The program offered a unique learning experience outside the classroom, combining spiritual growth with practical application. One of the main activities was Manasik Haji, where students practiced the steps of Hajj using a miniaturized Ka’bah, Maqam Ibrahim, and Hijr Ismail. This helped them visualize and experience the pilgrimage rites in a meaningful way.

Students also had the chance to learn about Islamic funeral rites through hands-on practice in bathing and shrouding a corpse. This session was guided by professionals from an Islamic hospital—individuals who manage real-life funeral procedures every day—providing students with authentic and respectiul insights.

In a powerful and inclusive session, students learned how the Qur’an is read in sign language. Tutors from the Qur’an Language Center, including deaf educators, led the session, opening students’ eyes to how the deaf community connects with the holy book.

The program also included outdoor games and outbound activities that encourage teamwork, problem-solving, and fun—all while fostering a spirit of togetherness and empathy.

Throughout the two days, students showed great enthusiasm and participated actively in every session. They gained not only religious knowledge, but also a deeper appreciation for the practices and experiences of others in their community.

(by Mr Ilham)

Testimony

Prof. Dra. Hj. Suwarsih Madya, M.A., Ph.D.

Amidst the globalized situation which poses challenges of which one is a possible threat to identity, yet provides ample opportunities to excel for those who possess the prerequisites, we need to equip our children as the continuing generation with necessary competencies—affective, cognitive, psychomotor and interactive. In other words, we need to help them grow and develop into total persons and this can be achieved through the whole-child development approach which ensures the development of all potentials. In addition to this is the need for developing some competence which enables the children to communicate globally. All of this will ensure that the children will develop their citizenships both at the national and global levels. How can this ideal development be realized?

If you want to find out about how efforts are made to develop children’s whole potentials, you can come to SD Islam Al Azhar 55 Yogyakarta. Here you can see how the four-year old school has grown fast due to the stakeholders’ trust to send their children to study here. With only 54 children in the first year, this school now has 185 students. These students are educated to respect and preserve the social-cultural environment by learning the local language (Javanese, including the script) and arts (dance). Simultaneously, they certainly learn the national language (Bahasa Indonesia) and national content, which is unquestionable since it is compulsory, and English, which has now become a global lingua franca; thus, a prerequisite for successful global communication. More importantly, children in this school also learn to practise their religion consistently. So, in this school children’s identity is rooted in the local culture, with nationalism and global awareness being inherently developed together with reliogiosity.

Does the whole-child development approach at SD Islam Al Azhar still give room for children to excel? In my belief, when all their potentials are developed, children will have a greater chance to excel and I can see the truth in my belief in this primary school. In the last two years, the students have made great achievements in various competitions held at the local and national levels–gold medals in English, math and science competitions (national), silver and bronze medals in IT competitions (national), silver and bronze medals at colouring and swimming competitions (local) to mention some.

In conclusion, SD Islam Al Azhar has given evidence of the right efforts of true education to develop both intelligence and character.

Prof. DR. Budi S. Daryono, M.Agr. Sc.

Testimoni Sebagai Orang tua menyekolahkan anak Di Al-Azhar 55

Sudah menjadi kewajiban bagi orang tua untuk memberikan pendidikan yang terbaik bagi putra putrinya. Tantangan untuk mendidik anak di Era Global dan Digital pun semakin besar, kita tidak bisa lagi membendung segala perubahan yang begitu cepat terjadi, dan harus mempersiapkan anak-anak supaya bisa survive dan sholeh/sholehah tentunya. Saat ini dunia bagaikan kampung, dimana tidak ada batas-batas untuk melakukan transaksi kehidupan, untuk itu anak harus bisa berkomunikasi dengan bahasa universal sebagai modal utama. Disamping itu, pendidikah Ahlak dan Aqidah harus diberikan secara dini sebagai dasar anak dalam menghadapi gejolak gelombang kehidupan. Atas pertimbangan tersebutlah, kami selaku orang tua memilih untuk menyekolahkan putra kami tercinta Hikari di Sekolah Islam, yang menggunakan dua bahasa pengantar, yaitu Al-Azhar 55.

Prof. DR. Budi S.Daryono, M.Agr. Sc.