Prototype of the Arab School in the Kingdom of Sambas of West Borneo in the Early 20th Century

Abstract

In West Borneo, of the fourteen sultanates that one existed, Sambas was the most dynamic Malay kingdom in its intellectual history. Sambas was once known as the "Terrace of Mecca" in West Kalimantan. It was due to the fact that this area has many scholars who once lived and studied for years in the Holy Land of Mecca. Its strategic position on the international navigational silk line, making Sambas one of the Islamic religious learning centers at that time. Unsurprisingly, then the oldest educational institution in West Kalimantan was initiated by the the Kingdom of Sambas. This paper aims to examine the Kingdom of Sambas education system. As a philological study, the primary source of this research is the manuscript of Sepatah Kata tentang al-Madrasah al-Sultaniyah (An Overview of the Sultan's School-hereafter referred to and abbreviated as SKMS). Departing from this study, some important findings have been revealed. First, since the beginning, this so-called Arab School rejected the subsidies of the Colonial Government. The reason was clear. It did not want to be contaminated by the mission and colonial interests. The financial source of education was entirely derived from royal funding called the baitul mal. This is related to the education financing policies applied. Second, the aims of establishing the Arab School, the background of teachers, learners, and the curriculum used have been identified. Third, the contribution of the Arab School. With the charisma of a visionary sultan supported by scholars and competent instructors, this Arab School served as center to prepare candidates for government offices and the establishment of religious society in this region and its surroundings.

Kontribusi Syekh Ahmad Khatib Sambas (1803-1875) Dalam Menanamkan Nilai Pendidikan Cinta Tanah Air Dan Bela Negara Kepada Murid-Muridnya Di Nusantara

“…Ketika Madrasah al-Sultaniyah berdiri pada 1916, ia langsung terlibat sebagai guru di madrasah pertama yang berdiri di Kalimantan Barat tersebut. Ketika keponakannya Ahmad Fauzi selaku kepala Madrasah meninggal karena sakit, ia kemudian ditunjuk sebagai pengganti (Mahrus, 2019). Ia menjabat sampai terjadi perubahan dari madrasah menjadi Sekolah Tarbiatoel Islam pada 1936.…”