Jakarta – In an effort to boost religious tourism in Indonesia, the Tourism Ministry lends its support to a religious event held by Islamic boarding school Pesantren Sirnarasa Foundation dubbed Pesantren Charm Week.
The event is currently being held for one week until Sept. 3 at Pesantren Sirnarasa in Panjalu, West Java. Themed "One Voice to Save the World Resources", the event is expected to attract 60,000 visitors.
The ministry's Archipelago Tourism Marketing Development deputy Esthy Reko Astuti said the event aims to promote the pesantren culture.
"Another goal is to combine several religious cultures that are relevant with pesantren as well as encouraging the provincial administrations together with stakeholders to develop destinations for religious tourism that have high competitive values," said Esthy.
"This event also serves as a syukuran (a gathering to express thanks to God) for the 75th anniversary of Maulid Pesantren Sirnarasa and Abah Aos. Every day, this place welcomes 500 to 1,000 santri, ikhwan and akhwat," added the ministry's head of Cultural Promotion Wawan Gunawan.
Activities at the Pesantren Charm Week are divided into several categories, including a religion one such as Musabaqoh Tilawatil Qur'an, Murattal Quran competition, speech competition and book exhibition of the works of Abah Gaos, the founder of Pesantren Sirnarasa.
In the education and health categories, there are civics seminar, free medical treatment and alternative medical therapy and mass circumcision.
The event also hosts entrepreneurship training in the economy category, leisure stroll and environmental cleanup in the environment category and performances of Wayang Ajen, Seni Gembyung, Rampak Dalang, Sepeda Balong, Gubyag as well as Liwet cooking competition in the arts and culture category. (kes)