Founder was a terrorist but school preaches peace
SUNGAI PETANI: The grounds of Madrasah Nurul Hidayah, a Muslim boarding school with 180 students, about 30km from here, is peaceful. But one bleak point in its history haunts the school.
One of its founders is the late Ustaz Mohd Lotfi Ariffin, a man who left the country to join militants fighting in Syria and died there on Sept 14, 2014.
But his elder brother, Mohd Zainon, who is now the headmaster there said the school and its students did not even know what Islamic State was, except for what was written in the newspaper.
After revelations that many of the suspects arrested over the Movida grenade attack in Puchong were from Kedah, The Star visited the school in Kampung Tembak, Kuala Ketil. All seemed well there.
The school welcomed the media and allowed a few of the students to be interviewed.
Mohd Zainon said there was no need to speak about his brother.
“Let the past be past. If I speak any more, it may open old wounds and sadden my family,” he said.
Last year, journalists from New York Times visited the school and published a video portraying the school as promoting Mohd Lotfi as a martyr.
“We did no such thing. We do not teach students to be militants. We don’t even know what IS is,” Mohd Zainon, 54, said.
He said the school had 15 teachers and its 180 students come from all over the country, including Sabah and Sarawak.
“We are expanding and seeking RM500,000 now to complete our school building.”
He expressed sadness over the rise in suspected militants originating from Kedah.
“I hope they will stop it and practise the peace and tolerance of Islam. God does not allow us to fight in the name of race or pride.
“Our duty is to be helpful to all humanity. Only then can the goodness of Islam be shown to nonMuslims.”
A student from Pontian, Mohd Izamuddin Runa, 19, said the years spent at the school was peaceful.
“We do not go online at all; we study the Quran deeply.
“I’m here to understand the word of God and embrace his peace,” said the Form Three student.
Troops of young girls, fully covered with only their eyes exposed, moved demurely about in the school grounds.
Mohd Izamuddin said he liked the strict gender discipline.
“There are clear limits and this helps us to stay away from sinful thoughts,” he said.
Mohd Danial Ramlan, on the other hand, said he enjoys the lifestyle he found here.
“I come from Sungai Buloh in Selangor and after being here for three years, I have found peace in this simple lifestyle,” he said.