Book Title: Negeri 5 Menara

Released Year: 2009

Writer: Ahmad Fuadi

Language: Indonesian

This book tells about the story of a child from a small village in West Sumatera, Alif, who went all the way to Java to go school at Pondok Madani, an Islamic school that not only teaches Islamic theology but also teaches their student the ability to be independence, discipline and keep the good morals to achieve their dreams. Graduating from junior high school, Alif dreamed to go to the best public high school in his province, but his mother asked him to go to Islamic school instead of high school following her dream to dedicate his son for the sake of Muslim progress. Still refuse to go to Islamic school in his region, Alif take the advice from his uncle to study in Pondok Madani (PM). Later in PM, Alif met friends from around the country and make close friends with Raja, Baso, Said, Atang, Dulmajid. They call themselves Sahibul Menara, the owner of the tower. United by tweak-chain punishment and electrified by magic spell “man jadda wajada”, they spent their four years in PM studying, playing, dreaming about their future.

This first sequel of novel trilogy take flashback from the present day when Alif is on his way to attend a conference in London where he will reunite with his old friends as well.

Moral of the story:

I think all of the story can be summarize to one line.

“Man jadda wajada” - The one who work wholeheartedly will be success. :)