Learning English in the Perspectives of Indonesian Traditional Moslem People A Case Study at North-Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstrak / Ringkasan

Geertz divides Muslims in Java into three strata namely Abangan, Santri and Priyayi (civil
servants) which are also present in Sumatra island, especially in North Sumatra Province. The Abangan
Muslim community is identical as a Muslim because the descendants are caused by both parents who gave birth
to their Islam and automatically the children of their descendants are Muslims as well, but lack of
understanding of the true teachings of Islam. The purpose of this study is to find out why they consider foreign
languages especially English is "haram" or forbidden. This research is field research with qualitative and
descriptive approach. The theoretical basis used in this study is Clifford Geertz's theory. The results show that
due to the weak knowledge of these traditional Muslim societies, both religious knowledge and general
knowledge, they consider learning English as a forbidden thing. This traditional Muslim perspective is not as a
representative of Muslims in North Sumatra and it is contrary to the true teachings of Islam. Whereas Qur'an
clearly commands Muslims to learn foreign languages (See, Alquran Surah Al Hujarat 13 and Surah Ar Rum)

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