Moslem identity<\/p>\n
In spite of the Islamic-sounding name "Mochtar Buchori", the
\nauthor featured in your "Insight" column on Dec. 31, 1994, I am
\nnot quite sure if the man is a Moslem.<\/p>\n
However, when I read the italicized description of the
\nwriter's identity at the end of the article, I was rather
\nastounded to learn that he is in fact a rector of a Muhammadiyah
\nTeachers Training Institute.<\/p>\n
After reading through the story of his Personal Transition
\nTowards Religious Tolerance I sort of feel sorry for him. He was
\na victim of colonial cultural subordination and of the
\n"Inlanders" as they were called then. He suffered, unfortunately,
\nstrong feelings of inferiority, just because he came from a
\nstrict and orthodox Moslem family.<\/p>\n
When he was in the U.S., he said that it was difficult for him
\nto interact with his fellow Moslems who mostly came from -- and
\nhe specifically named -- Iran, Afghanistan, Palestine, Jordan,
\nEgypt and Sudan. He said he had become a different person and
\nfound it strange and difficult to get along well with anyone
\nMoslem. This despite the fact that he was still a Moslem?<\/p>\n
This feeling of alienation from Islamic life, in my opinion,
\nwas caused by a lack of or by the absence of Islamic practice in
\nhis daily life.<\/p>\n
He admitted that he was deeply touched and grateful when an
\nAmerican Catholic friend invited him to celebrate Christmas and
\nhe then experienced a serene and solemn ceremony. He really
\nenjoyed Christmas songs and joined in the singing of Christmas
\ncarols. And he enjoyed the boys choir tremendously. The choir
\nsounded to him like angelic voices from heaven.<\/p>\n
From what he expressed I might conclude that he admires and
\nadores everything western. He might also think that Christianity
\noriginally came from a place somewhere in the U.S., Canada or
\nSpain or maybe Rome. If only he realized that Jesus Christ was
\nborn in a village somewhere in Palestine, he might regret having
\nsuch deep admiration.<\/p>\n
In his deep fascination with the Christian culture,
\ncivilization and all, he still asked himself whether he was
\nmaking a mistake. These questions were, I think, just some
\nadditional expressions of his doubt of Islam, which he confesses
\nto believe in. In my opinion he absolutely knew the right answer
\nto his own questions.<\/p>\n
In helping him to answer his questions, in case he really
\nneeds it and of course if he wouldn't mind, I only would like to
\nsuggest that he be consistent and try to be himself.<\/p>\n
It would be a great mistake to feel Christian but declare
\noneself a Moslem.<\/p>\n
ACHMAD R. SURENGGANA<\/p>\n
Praya,<\/p>\n
West Nusa Tenggara<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/moslem-identity-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }