Author spreads word of Islam through youths
Author spreads word of Islam through youths
Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
You cannot talk to teenagers unless you speak the same language:
This logic was stuck firmly in Teguh Iman Perdana's mind when he
started writing his debut work NgeFriend sama Islam (Being
Friends with Islam).
Recently launched here in Jakarta, the book targets young
people and provides them with the basic values of Islam, which is
presented in a more informal, everyday language.
"It's been an obsession of mine for a long time, to write a
religious book for young people. I see that they had so many
problems and questions regarding the values of Islam, but mediums
for talking about such issues are rarely available to them. Youth
problems rarely surface at Islamic forums," said the 35-year-old
businessman prior to the launching of the book.
In his experience as project officer of religious interactive
programs at Prambors 102.3FM, a radio station targeting youths,
Teguh constantly encountered young people who were curious about
religious matters.
"During my nine years of working on the program, I came across
the realization that young people still consider religion as an
important part of their lives, but there is also confusion about
it," said Teguh, who was with Prambors 102.3 FM from 1990 to
1999.
He added that recent research by Prambors showed that young
people are well-informed about Islam, but that sources are
scarce.
"They are aware that they need religion in their lives, but
they don't know where to get information about Islam that is
comprehensive and familiar, something with which they can
identify their own lives," said the graduate of the School of
Social and Political Science at the University of Indonesia.
Teguh said the radio program had succeeded in providing the
correct medium for young people to speak about their religion.
Unfortunately, the program was taken off the air for some
unexplained reason -- but this, in turn, pushed Teguh to write
his book.
The book is divided into three chapters: Yang Aneh, Yang Ajaib
(Strange Things, Magical Things), Agama: Kudu dan Perlu
(Religion: A Must and a Necessity), and Kenapa Islam (Why Islam).
The first chapter deals with the very basic values about Islam
and their misperceptions, such as why many people relate Islam
with lack of professionalism, poverty, and cruelty.
The second chapter includes discussions about the morality,
secularism, and the inclusiveness vs. exclusivity of Islam.
The last chapter, meanwhile, focuses on the positive aspects
and advantages of Islam.
The book is presented as a dialog between two college friends,
who speak casually, complete with the latest slangs.
It is clear that Teguh wants to project a more modern and
sophisticated face of Islam, which is illustrated by the
characterization of the two young educated Muslims, and also the
quotes and excerpts in the book.
The topics are presented in a quite comprehensive and
structured way. Browsing this book, it will probably remind you a
bit of Neale Donald Walsch's Conversation with God for Teenagers.
The latter is probably more universal as it does not include
certain religion.
This book is a good effort at bringing Islam closer to those
young people wanting to know more about the religion and its
values as relevant to their stage in life.