Christian students’ involvement in the school Islamic programs such
as wearing Muslim clothing, participating in the seven-minute Islamic
sermon, and joining Islamic classes are often considered a compliance
attitude. Instead, it is a process of self-adaptation because they attend
a school within a Muslim majority environment. Moreover, this
camouflage represents their resistance to the school rules. This article
discusses how Christian students in two state schools in Padang behave
in the framework of Islamic customs. Based on the theories of Jean
Baudrillard’s simulacra and James C. Scott’s resistance, the results of
this study show that Christian students in two state schools in Padang
tend to be obedient and interested in Islamic practices. For instance,
they imitate the way Muslim students dress so that they look similar
to Muslim students. This attitude pleases their Muslim teachers and
fellow students. In addition, Minang people in their neighborhood also
amaze and always refer to these Christian students’ attitude as a model
to be followed.
Keywords:
Muslim-Christian
relationship;
Adaptation;
Resistance; and
School