Around seven elementary school students attend the informal classes held at the Pirime post of Infantry Battalion (Yonif) 511/DY, part of the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea Border Security Task Force.
“In these remote areas, there are no religious teachers, and Muslims are a minority,” task force commander Lt. Col. Amar Supratman said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Our personnel are offering what religious education they can provide,” he added.
Led by Second Lt. Wahyudin, who also commands the Pirime post, the troops hold daily Quran reading sessions at the post’s small prayer room (musala), where children bring their Qurans and Iqra books to study.
“We aim to build a strong religious foundation and character in the children. The sessions help improve their focus, discipline, and honesty while strengthening their love for God,” Wahyudin said.
The program includes lessons on Arabic letters, pronunciation (tajwid), and basic prayer practices, he added.
Undeterred by their remote location, the soldiers view the initiative as part of their broader mission to serve local communities beyond their security duties.
Each afternoon, the post echoes with the voices and laughter of children - not at play, but engaged in eager study.
“This also deepens the bond between our soldiers and the children, bringing a sense of peace through closeness to God’s word,” Supratman said.
ANTARA noted that Indonesian troops stationed in Papua are expected to multitask and respond swiftly to daily challenges faced by local communities.
They are often called to act as problem-solvers while carrying out their primary mission to protect national sovereignty and ensure public safety.
Sharing land and sea borders with Papua New Guinea, the provinces of Papua and West Papua hold significant geopolitical and strategic value for Indonesia.
Despite persistent security threats from armed separatist groups in several areas, soldiers in the region continue to demonstrate their commitment to community welfare through service-oriented programs.
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Translator: Yudhi E, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Primayanti
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