Hajj Furoda Visa Crisis Shocks Indonesian Pilgrims

Source : MetroTV

Many Indonesian Hajj Furoda pilgrims were unable to depart for Mecca in 2025 due to the non-issuance of their visas by the Saudi Arabian government. The Furoda visa, which is a non-quota Hajj pathway, is typically chosen by pilgrims who wish to bypass the long waiting list of the official quota system.

Unfortunately, as of May 26, 2025, the Saudi government officially closed visa issuance for Furoda pilgrims. This left many who had already paid high fees ranging from USD 22,000 to USD 50,000 (around IDR 400-900 million) stranded and unable to make the pilgrimage.

In response, some travel agencies have offered 100% refunds to affected pilgrims, in accordance with prior agreements. However, the Indonesian Hajj Advocacy Commission (Komnas Haji) reminded the public not to blame the Indonesian government for the issue, since the Furoda visa is outside the national quota and fully controlled by Saudi authorities (Travel Kompas).

As a preventive measure, prospective pilgrims are advised to consider regular Hajj or special Hajj quotas for more certainty in future years.

Just Starting a Thesis, but Already Feeling the Pressure

The beginning of the seventh semester should feel like a relief, but for many students, it’s the start of something heavier. Not because of regular classes, but because of one word that begins to haunt them: thesis.

“Choosing a topic is already confusing,” said Dara, an English Education student who has just begun preparing her proposal. She admitted she has spent a week searching for references but still isn’t sure what topic to focus on.

Guidance with Supervisor

The same situation is happening to many final-year students. Class group chats are now filled with discussions about research topics, thesis supervisors, and proposal templates. Some are already eager to write, while others are still stuck figuring out where to start.

Even in the early stage, the pressure is already there. Many worry about making mistakes, especially after hearing upperclassmen’s stories about endless revisions and nerve wracking thesis defenses. But behind the anxiety, there’s also new motivation the hope to finish college strong.

For now, their theses are far from done. But at least, they’ve taken the first step even if it’s slow and uncertain.

When Memes Become Gen Z’s New Language

Scrolling through social media, it’s hard to ignore how memes pop up everywhere. They’re funny, fast, and somehow always feel relatable. But beyond the laughs, I honestly think memes can do more than just entertain. For me, they’ve become a surprisingly effective way to learn new vocabulary.

Memes usually play with words, whether it’s slang, puns, or expressions borrowed from English. Because they’re repeated so often, certain phrases just stick. I didn’t even realize I was picking up new words until I found myself using them in daily conversations. It feels effortless, like learning without really trying.

What makes memes special is the context they bring. A joke in a meme isn’t just about the word itself, but also about the situation, the tone, and the cultural reference. That’s something a dictionary can’t really give. Memes show how words live and breathe in real conversations, not just in examples on a page.

Of course, they’re not a perfect learning tool you won’t master grammar through memes alone. But as a way to expand vocabulary and understand how language is actually used, they’re hard to beat. And since memes are already part of Gen Z’s daily life, why not see them as more than just jokes? For me, they really are a new language.

By: Suci Kintamani

The Preparation Before the Test

On sunday afternoon, October 19th. the atmosphere at Universitas Muhammadiyah Tangerang felt different. In several classrooms, students gathered with serious yet calm expressions. They weren’t attending regular lectures, but rather the Ittiba’ orientation a preparation session before the exam on Qur’an memorization and Muhammadiyah studies. Without any opening or closing ceremony, the activity began right away with lectures delivered by the instructors.

Each classroom had its own distinct vibe. Some lecturers explained in detail the values of Muhammadiyah teachings, while others guided students through Qur’an recitations slowly and patiently. The sound of verses being recited echoed from different directions, creating a solemn yet warm atmosphere in the midst of the hot afternoon.

Some students were seen taking notes on key points from the lecturers’ explanations, while others engaged in small discussions to deepen their understanding. Although the activity lasted quite a long time from noon until late afternoon the participants’ enthusiasm remained strong. Many said that this orientation helped them understand the essence of Ittiba’ not merely as an exam, but as a reminder of how knowledge and faith should walk hand in hand.

Roblox and the Bright Side of Gaming

When people think about online games, the first reaction is often negative: too much screen time, less focus on school, or even addiction. But in my opinion, not all gaming deserves that bad reputation. Take Roblox, for example. This platform shows that gaming can also bring out positive sides if we look closely.

One of the strongest points of Roblox is creativity. Players are not just consuming games; they’re also encouraged to create. The platform allows users to design their own worlds, build unique characters, and even code mini games. That’s not only fun, but also develops problem-solving skills, design thinking, and basic programming knowledge. In a way, Roblox acts like a playground for future creators.

Roblox Obby Games

Collaboration is another aspect that often gets overlooked. Many Roblox games are multiplayer, which means teamwork becomes part of the experience. Players need to communicate, plan, and work together to reach goals. For younger users, this can be an informal but valuable lesson in cooperation and social skills.

And let’s not forget the global community. Roblox is played worldwide, which exposes users to different cultures and sometimes different languages. Simple interactions in English or other languages can give players a chance to practice vocabulary in a natural and playful context.

Of course, balance is key spending all day in Roblox is not healthy. But if approached wisely, Roblox proves that gaming is not just about distraction. It can be about learning, connecting, and creating. That’s the bright side of gaming we often forget to see.

By: Suci Kintamani

Danger Ahead! COVID-19 Warning from Health Ministry!

Source : Google

The Ministry of Health has just issued an important circular regarding the increase in COVID-19 cases which have started to rise again in several Southeast Asian countries, such as Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong. They have found new variants such as XEC, JN.1, LF.7, and NB.1.8 which have the potential to make the spread even faster (Kemkes).

Although in Indonesia itself the cases are still relatively low, only 7 new cases were recorded from May 25 to 31, 2025 with a positivity rate of around 2.05%, the Ministry of Health continues to remind the public to remain vigilant and disciplined in implementing health protocols (Infeksiemerging).

Source : Kemenkes

In the circular, the Ministry of Health appeals to health facilities and the general public to: Tighten the use of masks, especially in crowded places Monitor symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath Immediately report to health workers if you experience flu-like symptoms Continue to follow official information from the Ministry of Health so as not to misunderstand According to Murti Utami, Acting Director General of Disease Control, the purpose of this circular is to increase awareness of COVID-19 and other diseases that have the potential to become epidemics or extraordinary events. The Ministry of Health also continues to monitor developments in the situation and hopes that everyone will remain vigilant and maintain protocols so that a new wave of COVID-19 can be avoided.

 

Breaking into the Academic Stage through Journal Articles

Serang, October 4, 2025 - English Education student of Muhammadiyah Tangerang University, Suci Kintamani, successfully presented her journal article at the 3rd International Seminar on Language, Literature, Education, and Culture (ISOLLEAC) 2025 held at the Horison Hotel, Serang, Banten.

At the international seminar, Suci presented an article titled "The Eden Poem by Kate Llewelly: The Comparison Case on Sapardi Djoko Damono's and Grok's Translation," which discussed the differences between human and artificial intelligence translation techniques in poetry translation. Through this research, she highlighted how human and AI translate poetry, and whether AI can assist as a poetry translator, or whether human translation is more in-depth.?

Suci revealed that this opportunity was a valuable experience to broaden her knowledge and hone her scientific presentation skills at the international level. "Being able to present research results in a forum like this really boosts my confidence and opens up many opportunities to learn from other academics," she said. 

The ISOLLEAC 2025 event is an annual event of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) UNTIRTA, which brings together researchers, lecturers, and students to share research findings in the fields of language, literature, education, and culture.

The event concluded in a warm atmosphere filled with an exchange of ideas and appreciation. For Suci, this experience wasn't just about speaking before an international audience, but also about understanding the meaning of sharing knowledge and continuing to grow in academia.

Clash Of Champions Season 2: exciting challenges for Indonesia's Students

 

    Jakarta, October 8, 2025 Amidst government and private efforts to improve the quality of national education, Ruangguru is back with an innovative Clash of Champions (COC) Season 2 event. This event is not just a quiz, but an arena for students from all over Indonesia to compete in strategy, packaged with visuals and tension a la esports, creating a learning atmosphere that is completely different from usual. 

    The second episode, which aired on Saturday, July 5, 2025 at 19.00 WIB, immediately caught the public's attention because it presented an "unexpected guest" who suddenly changed the dynamics of the game and the participants' strategies drastically. This sudden change challenged the participants' flexibility of thinking while adding to the appeal for the audience. Unlike conventional educational quizzes that tend to be monotonous, Ruangguru in COC combines lesson questions with real-time game elements, competitive sound effects, a digital point system, and attractive animated visuals. 

    All of this is designed to provide a learning experience that is not only informative, but also exciting, tense, and immersive. Participants are not only required to master the subject matter, but must also be fast, focused, and able to work together under pressure. Meanwhile, viewers from all over Indonesia can get involved directly through interactive quizzes on the Ruangguru application, collect Starchamps, and get exclusive digital photo cards that can be collected. COC has succeeded in presenting a competitive yet fun learning atmosphere, and making education a part of the digital lifestyle of the younger generation. With the number of viewers continuing to increase with each episode, this show has not only succeeded in stealing attention, but also shows the great potential of educational entertainment (edutainment) as the future of learning in Indonesia.

TAKI: My Way Out of Thesis Hell

To be honest, I used to think that graduating from college was definitely through a thesis. There was no other choice. But it turns out, the campus gave another option called TAKI (Final Scientific Paper Assignment). At first I thought this was like a fast track or a “shortcut,” but after I did it myself, it turned out to still be full of struggle and… quite challenging. 

TAKI is open to students who actively create scientific works, whether it’s articles, learning media, or academic projects that meet certain standards. In my study program, I happened to join a scientific article writing program with lecturers and friends. The article was processed seriously: from finding a topic, library research, writing up to five pages long, revising it many times, using journal references, and even having to follow a template. And you can’t just do it haphazardly the final result must be ready to be published in a journal. 

What makes it different from a regular thesis is that in TAKI we focus more on academic writing and the results can really be used or read by the public. Not just a formality. On the other hand, the challenges are still there: lecturers can revise it many times, time is tight, and sometimes enthusiasm goes up and down too. But the good thing is, I don't have to go to the field or make a questionnaire, and that really helps me mentally. 

In my opinion, the TAKI pathway can be a good alternative for students who have a passion for writing or who have certain limitations when it comes to conducting field research. But don't get me wrong — this is not an "easier" pathway, just a different form. It also requires hard work, discipline, and critical thinking. 

Do I regret choosing this pathway? Not at all. In fact, I'm happy because the work I create can be more "alive" not just piled up on the campus library shelves. And for me personally, this process also helped me get to know the academic world better, not just for the sake of graduating. 

So for friends who are currently confused about working on their thesis or feel stuck, maybe you can start finding out about alternative pathways like TAKI. Who knows, it might be a more suitable path for you!!!

Foreign Tourist Missing While Hiking: Evacuation in Extreme Terrain!

    On Saturday morning, June 21, 2025, a Brazilian tourist named Juliana Marins, she was 27 years old was reported to have fallen into a 150-500 meter deep ravine in the Cemara Nunggal area, on the Mount Rinjani climbing route via Sembalun. The incident occurred at around 06.30 WITA when she was climbing alone. Authorities suspect she slipped due to the steep and slippery terrain. 

Picture 1.1

    Why did she come? Mount Rinjani is said to be one of Juliana's dream destinations after climbing various mountains in South America and Europe. She chose Indonesia because of its natural beauty, and Rinjani is a popular destination among international climbers. However, the Mount Rinjani National Park (TNGR) said Juliana was not recorded in the e-Rinjani system, which means she climbed without official permission. 

    How was the search? After the report came in, the joint SAR team consisting of Basarnas, TNI, Polri, TNGR, and local volunteers, immediately conducted an intensive search. On Monday morning, June 23, 2025, a thermal drone managed to detect Juliana's body in a motionless condition. The location is on a steep cliff that is difficult to reach, with low visibility due to fog. Evacuation has not been possible due to extreme weather and the risk to rescue teams who have to descend with ropes into vertical terrain. 

Picture 1.2

    The incident has attracted widespread attention, both in Indonesia and Brazil. Netizens posted prayers and support on social media. Basarnas said the rescue mission was one of the most extreme this year. Tourism authorities have also begun to re-evaluate the safety system for foreign tourists, especially those traveling in dangerous areas without a guide.

Source: 

• https://travel.detik.com/travel-news/d-7347486/turis-brasil-hilang-di-rinjani-diduga-terpeleset-ke-jurang
• https://youtu.be/dK9YMEkybZQ?si=p7gKpAQxkF03OF3b