Regularly Going on Da'wah Journey to Japan, Thursina IIBS Students are Ready to Islamize the World
Thursina International Islamic Boarding School (IIBS) went on a Dakwah journey to Japan, aimed at spreading Islamic values in the land of the rising sun. The group consisted of 32 people, including male and female students and their companions. They were divided into two groups for the first five days in Yokohama, near the As-Sholihin Mosque as a place for preaching, and in the Toyota Islamic Center, Kanagawa, which is under Sariraya enterprise, an Indonesian company, managing tempe factory and halal restaurant.
Syaihul Islam, S.Pd., as a murobbi said, Dakwah journey is based on the basic principles of a Muslim, who has the duty and obligation to preach. A Muslim has comprehended religion tenet to practice daily. Through preaching, students learn to practice the knowledge, so that it becomes more ingrained in them. He emphasized that knowledge without practice is such a tree without fruit.
Japan was chosen as the destination because Islam is a rational religion, while Japan is known as a country prioritizing reason and logic. Japanese culture is in the harmony with Islamic teachings, such as discipline, honesty, and order. In addition, the trend of Islamic development in Japan is increasingly positive, with more and more local residents embracing Islam and government support reinforces the construction of mosques and Muslim communities. "The students are also expected to gain valuable experience as a minority in a country with small Muslim population, while studying the history of Islam there," said Ustadz Syaihul.
When preaching in Japan, the students try to adapt to the customs of local community. They have displayed noble morals and conveyed Islamic teachings in a logical and easily accepted way. This approach is expected to broaden Japanese people's understanding of Islam.
Thursina IIBS has established official collaboration with several Islamic institutions in Japan. Some of them are As-Sholihin Foundation in Yokohama and Tokyo Indonesian Mosque (MIT) which helps with Quran teaching activities. Ar-Rahman Musholla in Kanagawa also has regularly held Islamic courses with Thursina IIBS students as tutors. Another one is Toyota Islamic Center in Aichi Prefecture, a main partner of Thursina IIBS program in Japan.
The dakwah journey has provided valuable experiences. One of the most memorable moments was the tolerant attitude of the Japanese people. Although there are many differences in culture and beliefs, Japanese people are very respectful of newcomers as long as they are polite and do not disturb public rules. The students also received the same treatment as the local people. The warmth of Indonesian people in Japan was inspiring. "They have welcomed us with friendliness, as if meeting their own family. Their kindness and support have been warmly felt during the activity," added Ustadz Syaihul.
The bonding between Thursina students and the Muslim community in Japan has continued following the journey. The participant of the program still communicates with congregation of Quran. It shows that da'wah is not only conducted verbally, but also by building relationships and showing good morals.
The Da'wah journey has been planned to hold annually in the month of Ramadan. It is one of the ways to spread Islamic values to corners of the world. Surely, through the role of Thursina IIBS students who are ready to become missionary ambassadors on the international stage. (sls/lil)