TANGERANG: Learning the Koran doesn't have to be a solemn affair, says Islamic teacher Yahya Edward Hendrawan, who dresses up as a clown to inspire children to approach reading and reciting the Koran with cheer.
A teacher at an orphanage in the Indonesian city of Tangerang, Hendrawan dons a colourful clown costume, replete with white and pink face makeup and a red nose, to teach reading. The self-dubbed "sharia clown" focuses on Islamic studies during the fasting month of Ramadan.
"When we ask children to recite the Koran, it is a bit difficult. But if there are clowns, they feel they go to the classroom with some purpose," Hendrawan said.
The 38-year-old rides to the orphanage every day during Ramadan with his five-year-old son, Mirza, dressed as a baby clown with outsized glasses and a wig with a shock of yellow and orange hair.
The father and son usually spend about an hour applying makeup before meeting the children, including those from a community reading group.
Hendrawan's path to becoming the "sharia clown" was not easy. His father, who has since passed away, was not accepting of his methods, and used to tell Hendrawan he was an embarrassment.
"His behaviour hurt me so much, it felt like my heart was being cut into slices," Hendrawan said.
But encouragement from the orphanage's founder, gave Hendrawan confidence to pursue his dream of teaching as a clown.
Hendrawan now takes on part-time entertainment jobs and insists on including religious values and literacy programmes in his performances.
His enthusiasm to teach and keep children entertained has won him praise in the community.
"He helps children build an interest in reading, which will reduce the time they spend playing with phones or gadgets, and have a tremendous impact on their development," said Junaedi, the parent of a child who attends Hendrawan's reading classes, who like many Indonesians, goes by one name.
Reuters
Tue May 11 2021
Hendrawan dresses up as a clown to conduct classes, accompanied by his son Mirza, dressed up as a baby clown, distribute books to children while teaching at a village during the holy fasting month of Ramadan, Tangerang, Indonesia. REUTERSpic
AWANI Ringkas: Kelapa diletak di bawah Lembaga Koko Malaysia
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Kejadian tembak di Selama, polis tahan pemilik kebun
Polis menahan seorang lelaki tempatan kerana disyaki terlibat kes tembakan sehingga menyebabkan seorang individu cedera di Kampung Sumpit Beras, Rantau Panjang dekat Selama Jumaat lepas.
#AWANIRingkas 6 Oktober 2024 | 9 PM
Berikut merupakan rangkuman berita setakat 9 malam, 6 Oktober 2024
1️⃣ Wanita Palestin mohon maaf cetus kekecohan
2️⃣ Kelapa diletak di bawah Lembaga Koko Malaysia
3️⃣ Kedai runcit simpan, cuci sayuran dalam tandas sebelum dijual
#awaniringkas
1️⃣ Wanita Palestin mohon maaf cetus kekecohan
2️⃣ Kelapa diletak di bawah Lembaga Koko Malaysia
3️⃣ Kedai runcit simpan, cuci sayuran dalam tandas sebelum dijual
#awaniringkas
Kalau mahu lindungi gajah, selamatkan kami dulu
Lebih seribu penduduk di tiga kampung di Hulu Terengganu semakin dihimpit ketakutan apabila kampung mereka bagaikan bertukar menjadi perkampungan gajah.
Kabinet setuju komoditi kelapa di bawah Lembaga Koko Malaysia - TPM Ahmad Zahid
Jemaah Menteri bersetuju menstrukturkan Lembaga Koko Malaysia dengan memasukkan komoditi kelapa di bawah agensi itu.
Operasi larangan merokok di premis, Akta 852 berkuatkuasa
Akta 852 atau Akta Kawalan Produk Merokok Demi Kesihatan Awam 2024 mula berkuatkuasa pada 1 Oktober 2024.
Susulan itu, Kementerian Kesihatan kini giat melakukam pemantauan dari premis ke premis sejak Akta 852 mula dikuatkuasakan.
Hari ini, Menteri Kesihatan, Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad sendiri turun padang menyertai operasi di Puncak Alam, Selangor.
Susulan itu, Kementerian Kesihatan kini giat melakukam pemantauan dari premis ke premis sejak Akta 852 mula dikuatkuasakan.
Hari ini, Menteri Kesihatan, Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad sendiri turun padang menyertai operasi di Puncak Alam, Selangor.
Wartawan Malaysia nyaris terkandas, protes tutup jalan
Kumpulan wartawan Malaysia termasuk Astro AWANI yang berada di Islamabad bagi membuat liputan Lawatan Negara Perdana Menteri Malaysia, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ke Pakistan, hampir terkandas malam Sabtu.
21 warga Bangladesh ditahan, menyamar jadi atlet untuk masuk Malaysia
Jabatan Imigresen menumpaskan sindiket menyeludup masuk warga asing dengan menyamar sebagai ahli sukan dengan penahanan 21 warga Bangladesh di Maluri, Kuala Lumpur, Khamis lepas.
21 warga Bangladesh ditahan, menyamar atlet masuk Malaysia
Jabatan Imigresen menumpaskan sindiket menyeludup masuk warga asing dengan menyamar sebagai ahli sukan dengan penahanan 21 warga Bangladesh di Maluri, Kuala Lumpur, Khamis lalu.
Ruang tambahan latihan bahasa Cina dan Tamil
Kerajaan bersetuju supaya ruang tambahan bagi latihan bahasa Cina dan Tamil diperbanyakkan di institusi perguruan, selain daripada bahasa kebangsaan.