Raising awareness of Riba: a community outreach program for secondary students

Riba (usury) is strictly prohibited in Islamic finance due to its exploitative nature and detrimental effects on society. Despite this prohibition, many individuals, particularly the youth, lack awareness of its dangers. This study examines a community outreach program to educate secondary school students about riba and promote Islamic financial principles. The program, organized by Bachelor of Business (Honors) Finance students at UiTM Kedah, targeted 60 Form 4 students from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sungai Tiang, Pendang. The initiative combined educational presentations and interactive activities to enhance students' understanding of riba. Pre- and post-program surveys were administered to assess changes in knowledge and attitudes towards riba. Entrance survey results indicated limited baseline knowledge about Riba among participants. Post-program survey results showed significant improvement, with most students demonstrating a clear understanding of the negative implications of riba and expressing a strong commitment to avoiding it. Interactive activities were efficient in knowledge retention and application. The "Dangers of Riba" program successfully raised awareness and educated secondary school students about the harmful effects of riba. The positive feedback and marked improvement in survey results highlight the importance of early financial education. Future programs should expand on this success to reach a broader audience and provide more in-depth coverage of Islamic financial principles.