Humanity beyond religion<\/p>\n
Muhamad Ali, Manoa, Hawai<\/p>\n
I do not known of any disaster more horrific or more touching
\nthan the earthquake and tsunami that hit Asia. Virtually
\neverybody in the world is deeply touched and tearful. It is hard
\nto imagine a natural disaster so devastating, taking about one
\nhundred and fifty thousand lives and destroying human
\ncivilizations. The tidal wave was not the biggest in recorded
\nhistory but the devastation in terms of human lives may be the
\nbiggest ever. It is beyond belief; it remains beyond imagination.<\/p>\n
Many scholars and officials have started to think of how to
\ndeal with this kind of natural calamity in the future. Warning
\nsystems should definitely be established. Other technological
\nefforts to avoid the worst impact are urged to be taken.<\/p>\n
But spiritually speaking, this natural disaster obviously
\nshows how human beings are indeed very weak, in the face of the
\npower of nature. Modernity and progress quickly and inevitably
\ndisappear.<\/p>\n
For those people who have lost their families, relatives and
\nfriends, this natural disaster has provided much deeper meaning.
\nFor Muslims, for example, the belief that all life is in the
\npossession of God and everything is from Him and will return to
\nHim can help comfort the survivors and those who lost their loved
\nones.<\/p>\n
Many believe that natural disasters are a test from God to
\nexamine the extent to which individuals and societies are able to
\nshow their solidarity, care, and assistance: \"We shall test you
\nwith something of fear and hunger, loss of goods or lives or
\nfruit, but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere.
\nWho say, when afflicted by a calamity: To God we belong and to
\nHim is our return.\" (Koran: Al-Baqarah, 155-6).<\/p>\n
It is also believed that natural disasters are also the
\noutcome of the sinful behavior of the human societies themselves:
\ntheir lack of love of nature as manifested in global warming,
\ndestruction of the environment, and so forth. But most Muslims
\nbelieve that both God and humankind play their part in the
\noccurrence and impact of natural disasters.<\/p>\n
In any case, this tragedy is beyond any religious, cultural,
\nethnic, economic or political boundaries. Hindus, Buddhists,
\nMuslims, Christians, and other religious and non-religious
\nindividuals have become the victims, directly and indirectly.
\nGrief, sadness and shock are felt by so many peoples from
\ndifferent faiths as they meet and share their feelings in shops,
\nhouses, restaurants, offices, and so forth. I find this a
\nwonderful example of humanism.<\/p>\n
For those of us who are not directly affected, it is high time
\nwe united. The United Nations have promised to provide any kind
\nof help. Other governments have also stated what they will
\nprovide assistance. Relief efforts have begun. Despite some
\nproblems in coordination and management of relief efforts,
\ndifferent organizations and individuals in the world continue to
\ncollect money and other kinds of assistance. The East-West
\nCenter, for example, has raised funds through art performances,
\ninvolving students from the affected regions and participants
\nfrom different nationalities and religions. There are countless
\nactivities of this kind in the world today.<\/p>\n
Attention, care, sympathy, empathy and solidarity that the
\ndifferent peoples of the world have shown is unprecedented. I
\nhave not experienced in my life such a demonstration of
\nenthusiasm to help. The amount of money that is being collected
\nwould probably, I believe, exceed any amount of money in recorded
\nhistory provided for the victims of a natural disaster. Donating
\nmoney is above all a sign of our deep sense of humanity.<\/p>\n
Churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, and other religious
\nand spiritual centers have mobilized their communities to collect
\nand raise funds. With the help of all kinds of mass media, there
\nappears a shared feeling of empathy and solidarity among everyone
\ntouched by the tragedy. Everybody feels they are one, mentally
\nand spiritually. Everyone feels they are one family, as my
\nAmerican friends say to me.<\/p>\n
An American teacher wrote to me: \"I'm so sorry to hear about
\nthe tragedies in your country! Since I don't know where you are
\nfrom in Indonesia, I can only send my deepest condolences to you
\nas a general message for your entire country. I want to offer my
\nassistance, where possible, to you and others. Please let me know
\nif there are other things I might do to help. I and my husband
\nwill keep your country and its people in our prayers as the
\naftermath of this continues to unfold. May God have mercy on all
\nthose affected in any way. Peace to you and your family. \"<\/p>\n
This expression of condolence and sympathy is just one among
\nso many similar messages.<\/p>\n
I believe that this trans-religious and trans-national sense
\nof humanity is the most valuable lesson that we can take from
\nthis natural catastrophe and that we should maintain this in
\nsituations of crisis and peace. We pray for the victims without
\ndiscrimination, expressed in our own manner and language,
\nreligiously or otherwise.<\/p>\n
We should continue to see others regardless of their color,
\nreligion, ethnicity or nationality. A sense of humanity in any
\nform is a wonderful and beautiful thing that we should be proud
\nof as global citizens in a borderless world. Humanism is here and
\nshould continue to exist.<\/p>\n
The writer, lecturer at the State Islamic University. He is
\nPh.D candidate in history at the University of Hawaii at Manoa,
\nand a fellow at the East-West Center, Honolulu. He can be reached
\nat muhali74@hotmail.com<\/p>",
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