Some pesantren, or Islamic boarding school, leaders in Bogor are backing the use of social networking site Facebook to facilitate communication within their school communities, despite calls last year from some clerics to stop students from using the site.

Caretaker of the Miftahul Ulum Islamic Boarding School, KH Fithrie Fachrurrozie Fuad, said on Sunday that Facebook had become a "requirement" for communication in most social circles, "including pesantren."

Fithrie said that using Facebook was more efficient and effective than other methods of communication. "And Facebook can be a vehicle to stay in touch and exchange ideas and information. I think a lot of positives can be drawn from the use of Facebook," he added.

He said that in the pesantren community, for example, Facebook could be used to discuss current issues and the Islamic world.

During May 2009, some clerics on Java and Madura islands declared Facebook as forbidden for students under the age of 17, stating that it posed a risk for flirting and "moral temptations."

However, Fithrie said that he thought the benefits outweighed potential risks and urged for it not to be declared haram, or forbidden. "If it is made forbidden, it may be abused by some who do not heed the norms and ethics of religion," he said.

Abdul Halim Yahya from Daarul Rahman Islamic Boarding School in Leuwiliang, Bogor, agreed, saying that Facebook had now become a forum for friendship and a place to express opinions without censorship.

Halim said that the big benefits of Facebook meant it was natural that the pesantren community began reaching into the virtual world for the latest information.

"In fact, Facebook has now become alternative media for the interests of the people, as in the case of 'gecko versus crocodile' (the Corruption Eradication Commission versus the National Police) and Prita (Mulyasari) versus Omni Hospital," he said.

Facebook is now the most popular Web site in Indonesia, according to web traffic analyst alexa.com. (Antara, JG)