Bandung (Ministry of Religion) --- The commemoration of National Children's Day (HAN) in West Java Province at Sport Jabar Arcamanik, Bandung City, Sunday, July 27 2025, was lively. This event was attended by thousands of students from kindergarten, elementary, middle school, high school and vocational school levels.

The moment was utilized by Islamic Religious Education Teachers at SMK Negeri 10 Bandung Ramdan Juniarsyah presenting puppet da'wah, a creation inspired by the traditional arts of West Java, namely Wayang Golek. The puppet da'wah performance not only shows the art of puppet show as the only media, but in it there are also lectures and the presentation of Hadrah art, all of which reflect the node of religious and cultural relations.

The idea of ​​wayang da'wah, said Ramdan Juniarsyah, departed from the desire to bring students closer to positive local traditions and in line with the messages of Islamic religious education. "Children now need a pleasant approach. I want Islam to be introduced in a creative way, one of which is by integrating religious and cultural approaches," Ramdan said in Bandung, Monday (4/8/2025).

The puppet da'wah displayed by Ramdan focused on the central figure of wayang in the Sunda Tatar, namely Cepot. Ramdan elaborated the messages of Islam in the touch of interactive dialogue between himself and the cepot figure. He presented a meaningful conversation, as if the audience was invited to take wisdom from the conversation that was presented. To reinforce the message to be conveyed, occasionally Ramdan slipped the song through the Hadrah Means that his students brought.

Starting from the National Rohis Camp

Ramdan admitted that his creative idea to use puppet show in da'wah and PAI purchase began with a moment of accident. In 2016, during the national Rohis camp held by the Directorate of Islamic Religious Education, Ramdan who was then a committee, was asked to invite students from the school where he taught to appear to welcome the presence of the Minister of Religion. With a pretty simple musical equipment, but accompanied by a high spirit, Ramdan brought his students to the campsite. When the closing session arrived, he was asked to fill the lecture session. Instantly his creative idea emerged to combine lectures with music and puppet show, which had been brought by his students.

"I thought about how to make the lecture not boring. Finally, I invited the children to accompany the lecture with music. Well, coincidentally at that time there was a child who brought a wayang show, so we combined it. And the response was extraordinary, the Rohis Camp participants listened enthusiastically. From there I introduced the concept of da'wah through wayang, and it turned out that many people were interested," recalled this man, an alumnus of UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung, recounting his initial journey with Da'wah Wayang.

Forming Wayang Da'wah Group

After the Rohis camp, Ramdan developed his ideas further. He formed a wayang da'wah group, a group of performances that combined art and religion in the form of performances. Like a tit for tat, the school where Ramdan has the duty to have an art department, he sees the great potential of his students.

"Students at SMK Negeri 10 Bandung have extraordinary abilities, some can be musicals, music, and even puppetry. I try to direct them to bring that expertise to the path of da'wah," said the father of two daughters seeing the great potential of their students.

In every appearance, puppet da'wah concocting elements of art such as traditional music, typical shades of puppet characters, and chanting religious songs. Everything is formulated so that Islamic messages can be received lightly and entertaining by all groups, especially for the younger generation.

"We embrace all the potential of young people. There are those who like K-Pop, we combine. There are those who are good at musicals, we are involved. The important thing is, da'wah can touch the hearts of the community without patronizing," said Ramdan who is now often invited to various religious events and education in various regions.

Unite art and spirituality

The choice to display da'wah through wayang golek and other traditional arts is not without reason. For Ramdan, this method is an effective way to convey Islamic messages in a subtle and down-to-earth manner.

"Da'wah is essentially inviting to the way of Allah. But to be effective, we must understand the values ​​that apply and develop in the community. For example in Sundanese society, there are local values ​​that are in line with religious teachings. If the cultural values ​​are positive, such as the art of songs or the tradition of mutual cooperation, we can make the Da'wah bridge," explained the Da'wah Bridge, "explained the Al-Ihsan Cibiru Hilir Hilir,

However, he did not close his eyes, not all cultural elements could be immediately accepted in the context of da'wah. This is where the role of da'wah as education needs to be present. If there is a culture that is contrary to religious values, then the da'wah functions to straighten and give understanding, not judging.

Art as a medium for Islamic religious education

As a PAI teacher who also has an interest in music, Ramdan is trying to combine religious values ​​with art expression. One of the teaching materials that is the starting point is the theme of learning about da'wah and tablig. He realized that da'wah is not just a matter of pulpit and speech, but can be developed through various creative media. Ramdan seeks to provide understanding to his students that da'wah can be done according to their interests. There is da'wah through the pulpit of speech, there is da'wah through the cover of religious songs, and some preach utilize digital media.

In the context of today's PAI learning, Ramdan said that his initiative was contained in the Wali Songo History material. He gave an example of the role of Wali Songo in spreading Islam in the archipelago. Each guardian has a different approach, but still has one goal. The owner of the popular name Kang Radju underlined that the challenges of learning religion today are quite difficult for the younger generation. Therefore, religious learning must be introduced as early as possible in a relevant and contextual way.

Ramdan's work proves that da'wah can appear inclusive and fun, without losing meaning. He believes that Islam can be introduced to love and culture, not only through words, but also through works.

"I am grateful to the Ministry of Religion, especially the Directorate of Islamic Religious Education. I was given the support and opportunity to perform at the peak of the HAN commemoration of West Java Province in 2025.

Hopefully, hopefully this support will motivate me and other GPAI to be more creative in compiling and delivering learning, "he concluded.