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Jakarta’s Other Islamic Defenders
Report | April 10, 2011

Ricma, which stands for Remaja Islam Cut Meutia, or Cut Meutia Islamic Youth, was established in 1976 in order to get young people more active in the mosque. Around 40 members of Ricma meet each week to recite parts of the Koran and discuss current events and topics related to their daily lives. Ricma’s secretary general, Putut Adiprasetyo, said he hoped the group could make a difference by spreading a message of religious tolerance. (Photo courtesy of Ricma) Ricma, which stands for Remaja Islam Cut Meutia, or Cut Meutia Islamic Youth, was established in 1976 in order to get young people more active in the mosque. Around 40 members of Ricma meet each week to recite parts of the Koran and discuss current events and topics related to their daily lives. Ricma’s secretary general, Putut Adiprasetyo, said he hoped the group could make a difference by spreading a message of religious tolerance. (Photo courtesy of Ricma)
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SirAnthonyKnown-Bender
9:49am Jul 20, 2011

“We want to tell our friends that violence doesn’t solve problems,” he said. “We need to unite and create a better Indonesia.”

Laudable sentiments however you should take a close look at your holy book, there are plenty of encouragements to violence in that. I'd suggest that religion was the problem rather than the solution. Why it's necessary to cower at the feet of a supernatural, supervisory being in order to form what is basically a social club, or indeed to engage in any philanthropic work has always stumped me.

DrDez
7:58am Jul 20, 2011

Well done gents -

Dhienda your words 'Islam is safety' needs some positive reinforcement before I accept it as a norm.

The very words in the article demonstrate the duplicity in Islam right now

Putut said he was very concerned about the use of violence in the name of God and religion in many places throughout the country.

You say - 'Islam is Safety'

somewhat of a contradition.

But DC - I echo the words of others and good luck Please keep us posted on your efforts and sucess and of course the difficulties too

To WebEd - Its easy to focus on the negative aspects of Islam in Indonesia since there are so many opportunities - so well done to the JG too for publishing this


DhiendaCleo
1:42am Jul 20, 2011

and very nice of you all being so supportive. may Allaah bless you all too, aamiin Allaahumma aamiin.. Assalaamualaikum wa rohmatUllaahi wa barokaatuh:)

Islam is safety, it is rohmatallilaalamiin-- Spread the words!

be the perfect change!

Valkyrie
6:54pm Apr 13, 2011

DhiendaCleo:

It was very nice of you to acknowledge our comments. On behalf (if I may guys/ladies) of my fellow posters....May God's richest blessings and protection go with you all.

DhiendaCleo
6:42pm Apr 13, 2011

Thankyou for posting it Alhamdulillaah, and we say thankyou for the comments about RICMA, and yes, bismillaahirrohmaanirrohiim, lillaahita'alaa.. Let's all unite:)!

Putut Adiprasetyo may look like an ordinary young man, but unlike many of his peers, who spend their free time trying to keep up with the latest trends, Putut chose to join Ricma, an Islamic youth organization based out of the Cut Meutia Mosque in Menteng, Central Jakarta.

He said he enjoys being a part of the organization because it enriches both his social and spiritual life.

Putut, who just graduated with a degree in psychology from Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN), said many people mistakenly believed that members of religious youth organizations were antisocial. “People who say that don’t know who we really are,” he said, adding that he and his friends get out and about and meet a wide variety of people.

“It’s a completely unjustified stereotype. I know that the members of Ricma are not like that,” said another member, Ankdarini Ratnaswastika, who joined the organization in early 2010.

“We often go to malls for our meetings,” added Ankdarini, who studies dentistry at Moestopo University. “Being part of this organization really is a lot of fun.”

Ricma, which stands for Remaja Islam Cut Meutia, or Cut Meutia Islamic Youth, has a long history. It was established in 1976 in order to get young people more active in the mosque.

Just like other organizations and clubs, Ankdarini said members of Ricma gather regularly to meet, chat and hold events. The main difference, she said, is that their activities often have a spiritual focus.

Around 40 members of Ricma meet each week to recite parts of the Koran. After that, they usually have a discussion about current events and topics related to their daily lives.

“This way, members can learn how to express their thoughts and speak in front of people,” Ankdarini said.

Nearly all of Ricma’s members are between 17 and 25 years old. They are mostly university students.

Besides learning about Islam and public speaking, Ankdarini said being a member of the organization has helped expand her social network.

Although the mosque is located in Menteng, she said members of Ricma come from many areas in Jakarta.

“It is so exciting to be able to meet new friends who have different, unique skills and ideas to share,” Ankdarini said.

Built by the Dutch in the 19th century, the building that houses Cut Meutia Mosque features classic colonial architecture and was previously used as an office by several government institutions. The historic site is also known as the first multi-story building in Menteng.

Putut, who joined Ricma four years ago and now serves as its general secretary, said coming to such a beautiful, historic building every week filled him with awe.

“Cut Meutia Mosque is an important building in Jakarta’s history,” he said. “It is also one of the oldest mosques in town.”

As part of Indonesia’s younger generation, Putut said he was very concerned about the use of violence in the name of God and religion in many places throughout the country.

But he was quick to add that such incidents were the product of a small group of people who don’t want to see harmony in Indonesia.

He said he believed the majority of people support religious tolerance.

Ankdarini said Muslims who are involved in such violent acts actually damage Islam. “They don’t think about how what they are doing will make others believe Islam teaches violence,” she said, adding that such people should be condemned and isolated.

Putut said he hoped Ricma could help make a difference by telling young Indonesians, especially young Muslims, that they should fight religious intolerance.

“We want to tell our friends that violence doesn’t solve problems,” he said. “We need to unite and create a better Indonesia.”

At the moment, members of Ricma are busy making plans for the holy month of Ramadan, which is in August this year. They are planning to conduct a number of events, including a camp, Ramadan discussions and a folk film festival.

Ankdarini said it should be a fun time because of the wide range of activities they have planned.

“It’s going to be great,” she said. “I hope a lot of young people in Jakarta will be able to join us.”