Sragen, NU Online
The writer of Ramadan handbook for Islamic elementary schools (MI) in Sragen, Central Java, H Shulkan, claimed responsibility for the revision of the book which is considered disturbing the Muslims. He did not think the book on page 13 point H number 8 has discredited 20 cycles of tarawih prayer.<>

According to Shulkan, it was a technical error, because the handbook should first be edited by supervisors at the Sragen's Madrasah and Religious Education Office (Mapenda). "But, what happened, the handbooks were directly printed and then distributed to MI students throughout Sragen.

"I am responsible for dealing with this problem. The book is really not worthy of publication," he said here on Tuesday (24/7), adding that "there are some errors in writing Arabic letters in the book. I know it's very offensive to Muslims."

Meanwhile the principal of MI Maarif tanggan, Agus Wikukuh, was instructed by head of Mapenda Irwan Junaidi, to withdraw the entire book from circulation. Agus said that he would would withdraw as many as 85 handbooks from his school.

Krishna, secretary of Sragen's Ansor,a youth wing of Nahdlatul Ulama, said that Ansor would be ready to stage its mass-rally infront of the local Office of Religious Affairs if the government did not immediately withdraw the deviant books.

"I have checked several schools such as MI in Patihan village, Sidoharjo. Apparently there has been no any activity to withdraw the handbooks. Local teachers also did not know there was an order to withdraw the handbooks," said Krishna.

If in the near future the controversial books are not withdrawn, then Ansor, Krishna said, would come to the local Office of Religious Affairs and demand the Wijaya Ilmu publishers to apologize.

Head of the local Office of Religious Affairs of Sragen, Muh Saidun, said he had met with the writer saying he would withdraw and revise the books. While the Wijaya Ilmu publishers owner, Agus, was ready to reprint as many as 3,000 copies of Ramadan handbooks.

Contributor : Cecep Choirul Sholeh
Editor : Sudarto Murtaufiq