Muslim writers tell of harmony with West<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Oh, East is East and West in West, and never the twain shall
\nmeet. Till earth and sky stand presently, at God's greatest
\njudgment seat.<\/p>\n
These words by Rudyard Kipling, a British Nobel prize winner
\nfor literature, were quoted by Ismail Fahmi Alatas, better known
\nas Aji, in his book titled Contemplation of a Young Muslim in the
\nMidst of Mourning.<\/p>\n
The book describes his experience living as a Muslim in
\nMelbourne, Australia, since 1998.<\/p>\n
Aji said he wanted to show the world that Muslims could live
\nharmoniously in the West, despite rising tensions following a
\nseries of terrorist attacks on Western targets by Islamic
\nmilitants.<\/p>\n
\"I love reading Kipling's works, but I don't think his words
\nare true. I think Muslims, especially Indonesians, can meet and
\njoin hands with people in the West, and vice versa,\" Aji told The
\nJakarta Post following a book discussion at QB World Plaza in
\nPondok Indah, South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The 21-year-old has had lots of experience overcoming
\ndifferences while living in the West.<\/p>\n
\"I have several Jewish friends (in Australia) and they're all
\nvery nice to me. They even came to a religious gathering I held
\nto discuss the Koran and tasawwuf (philosophical thinking of
\nIslam),\" he said.<\/p>\n
Aji, who has lived in Australia since 1998, has worked hard to
\nintegrate himself with all aspects of life in Melbourne. He is
\nthe only Indonesian member of the National Youth Congress. He is
\nalso actively working with the Moreland City Council to draw up
\npolicies for people in the city.<\/p>\n
Aji, who is now an Australian permanent resident, said he had
\nnever been discriminated against by Australians and that he
\nalways felt free to practice his faith.<\/p>\n
\"When I have a meeting in the City Council, the mayor
\ninstructs his subordinates to serve me a halal (permitted under
\nIslamic law) meal. And when I need to pray, he suspends the
\nmeeting,\" the author said.<\/p>\n
Another Indonesian Muslim writer, Amelia Naim, has written a
\nbook describing her experiences living in Colorado, the United
\nStates.<\/p>\n
\"If you think deeply, you can gain something. You can learn
\nsomething from the people there. My book is all about real people
\nhaving positive values when interacting each other,\" said Amelia,
\n40.<\/p>\n
The mother of two published a book titled When Inner Self
\nSpeaks detailing her experiences while pursuing an MBA at Boulder
\nUniversity, Colorado.<\/p>\n
Amelia felt she could be more faithful in practicing Islam
\nwhen living abroad compared to in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"I met a woman with three children who suffered from brain
\ndamage. But she still looked happy. She told me that God had
\nchosen a 'special' parent to treat 'special' children. You see? I
\nlearned Islamic values from non-Muslims, can you believe that?\"<\/p>\n
Both Aji and Amelia's books counter the perception that
\nrelations between Muslims and the West have deteriorated since
\nthe Sept. 11 terrorist attack in the U.S.<\/p>\n
The writers suggest that the way for Muslims to overcome the
\nreligious barrier is to communicate honestly with Westerners.<\/p>\n
\"One can be honest when one writes and one can be dishonest
\nwhen one speaks,\" Aji said. (006)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/muslim-writers-tell-of-harmony-with-west-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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