Hajj Ritual Training: A P5 Project, Rich in Spiritual Values

The Hajj ritual training has become an annual agenda for SMP Bilingual Terpadu and SMP Bilingual Terpadu 2. This activity is specifically designed for eighth graders as part of the Islamic Religious Education curriculum, which also covers fiqh material. This year’s training took place on May 6th- 77th, 2024, at Firdaus Fatimatuz Zahra, Semarang. This location was chosen not only because it is the largest Hajj training center in Central Java but also because of its complete facilities that closely resemble the actual sites.

There was something different about this year’s Hajj training compared to previous ones. This year, the activity was included in the P5 Project, themed “Build the Soul and Body.” As part of the P5 activities, Hajj training is fittingly linked to the Pancasila student value of ‘faith and piety to God Almighty.’ It is hoped that by participating in this activity, students will not only increase their faith and piety but also gain knowledge about the procedures of Hajj and Umrah that they can apply in the future.

The event itinerary started with a seminar discussing travel procedures, Hajj, and Umrah, advice from the Head of the Institution, and a briefing with the principal, all conducted before the main event. On Monday night (May 6) at exactly 9:00 PM, students along with 26 accompanying teachers departed for Semarang using 7 buses. To ensure the event ran smoothly, male and female students were separated. What made the students even more enthusiastic about this activity was the bonus of educational tours to explore language knowledge and enjoy educational tourism offered.

Celosia, chosen for female students, offers various attractions, from flower gardens to replicas of iconic Dutch and Parisian structures such as windmills and the Eiffel Tower, making the students feel as if they were in Europe. Equally interesting is Dusun Semilir, chosen for male students. This ‘one-stop destination’ offers a variety of educational rides that are so comprehensive that male students enjoyed spending a long time there.