We are colonized in many respects<\/p>\n
From Pikiran Rakyat<\/p>\n
The celebration of our Independence Day on Aug. 17 this year
\nwas not as festive as it was in the past three years. This is
\nunderstandable considering the acute economic crisis gripping the
\ncountry. Since the onset of the crisis in mid-1997 there has been
\na lot of uncertainty; from the declining quality of life of the
\npeople up to the sad incidents in Aceh and Ambon.<\/p>\n
It seems that we must again contemplate the essence of our
\nindependence and see the reality currently around us.<\/p>\n
We, no matter our religion, must ask ourselves whether we are
\nreally free, if we still allow ourselves to be fettered by our
\ndesires, make ourselves slaves to material goods and do things
\ncontrary to our acknowledgement of the oneness of God.<\/p>\n
Upon introspection, we will see that our country is still
\nshackled in many ways. In the economic spectrum, we have huge
\ndebts and cannot imagine how we will repay them. Besides this, we
\nare very much economically dependent on Western countries and the
\nInternational Monetary Fund. In the legal sector, many of our
\nlaws and legislation have their origins in Western laws and
\nlegislation. We are proud to be free from Dutch colonial rule,
\nbut we don't hesitate to employ the laws enacted by the Dutch
\ncolonial administration.<\/p>\n
In the sociocultural world, pornography, crime, student brawls
\nand drug trafficking are rampant as a result, whether we are
\naware of it or not, of the globalization imported from the West.
\nEvery day we are fed with Western ways of thinking, lifestyles
\nand behavior. We have therefore lost our own identity as Muslims.<\/p>\n
It is true that the colonial rulers have gone, but their
\nlegacy is still with us in our daily lives. Well, the colonial
\nrulers are still with us, after all, albeit with different faces.
\nAll Muslims should gain the awareness that essential freedom must
\nbe translated into reality.<\/p>\n
LINA HIMARDANI<\/p>\n
Bandung<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/we-are-colonized-in-many-respects-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }