Islamic art still in short of supply in RI<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Moslem art in Indonesia is not as varied or as
\nwidespread as it should be in a country that adopted Islam
\nhundreds of years ago, a Moslem scholar said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Moh. Ardani of the State Institute for Islamic Studies in
\nJakarta said he believed Indonesia can produce a lot more works
\nof art that reflect the religion.<\/p>\n
\"What we have is not optimal yet. We only have certain works
\nof (Islamic) art, such as calligraphy and literature,\" Ardani
\ntold a meeting being held on the sidelines of the ongoing second
\nIstiqlal Festival of Islamic Art and Culture at Jakarta's
\nIstiqlal Mosque.<\/p>\n
He said works of art which integrate Islamic teachings and
\ntraditional cultures can be considered Islamic art.<\/p>\n
Ardani warned that Indonesia's traditional cultures and
\nreligious values are now threatened by the intrusion of Western
\nculture, as a result of the rapid flow of information.<\/p>\n
\"We have to counter these (influences) with our own works of
\nart,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Noted film director Chaerul Umam said the development of
\nIslamic arts in Indonesia should be the responsibility of
\nMuhammadiyah, Indonesia's reformist Moslem organization.<\/p>\n
\"Muhammadiyah has a good education tradition, compared with
\nother Islamic organizations. It runs educational institutions
\neverywhere -- from kindergartens to universities,\" Chaerul said.<\/p>\n
\"I wonder: Why they have not opened a special department in
\ntheir institutions which teaches art?\" he asked.<\/p>\n
Ali Yafie, a deputy chairman of the Indonesian Council of
\nUlemas, said opening an Islamic arts department is not the only
\nway of promoting the development of Islamic arts in Indonesia.
\n\"It can (also) be done by the publication of art works,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Yafie said Islam's teachings are conducive to the development
\nof art works.<\/p>\n
The language of the Koran reflects high literature; its
\nwriting and the way the holy book should be recited are all arts,
\nhe added.<\/p>\n
Propagators<\/p>\n
He noted that the early propagators of Islam in Java, known as
\nWali Songo, used the wayang (shadow puppet theater), as their
\nmedium for spreading the religion.<\/p>\n
Chaerul announced yesterday that an international Islamic film
\nfestival is being planned for next month, as part of the on-going
\nIstiqlal festival.<\/p>\n
So far, India, Malaysia, Turkey and Uzbekistan, as well as
\nhost Indonesia, have confirmed their participation in the
\nfestival, scheduled to run from Nov. 13 until Nov. 17, Chaerul
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"We thought that Islamic countries didn't produce films. In
\nfact we were mistaken. So this is a good opportunity to learn
\nabout other Moslem countries,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The two-month Istiqlal Festival, which is being held at a cost
\nof Rp 10 billion (US$4.4 million), features various arts and
\ncultural products and performances that have been inspired by
\nIslam.<\/p>\n
One gallery of the Istiqlal Mosque has been given over to a
\ndisplay of various ancient and contemporary books and
\nmanuscripts, including the Koran. (31)<\/p>",
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