TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Acting Jakarta Governor Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama quoted a hadith (the saying of the Prophet Mohammad) about education during an iftar (break-fasting) with the Chinese Ambassador Xie Feng and orphans at the office of the Coordinating Board of Social Welfare Activities in Menteng, Central Jakarta, yesterday.
Ahok related the hadith with the current education condition among Jakarta residents.
"There is one Prophet Mohammad’s hadith about knowledge. If I’m not mistaken, it goes something like: Tuntutlah ilmu sampai ke negeri Cina (Seek knowledge until as far as China)," said Ahok.
"In fact, Moslems should not seek knowledge in Arabic countries only, but also in China, just what the Prophet says," Ahok added.
There's also an ancient Chinese saying that goes: "There is no discrimination in schools" and said that (it shows), in China, education is highly valued."
According to Ahok, the hadith emphasizes the important of education.
At least 40 percent of children aged 14-16 years old in Jakarta are school drop-outs and most of them are Moslems. Therefore, the Jakarta Administration is very concerned about education, said Ahok.
The administration has a scholarship program under the Kartu Jakarta Pintar scheme and the scholarships are meant for the less fortunate families.
With quality education, Indonesia would have a better future. "Just like what the Prophet says, never stop seeking knowledge," Ahok added.
ERWAN HERMAWAN
