Moslem identity

Moslem identity

In spite of the Islamic-sounding name "Mochtar Buchori", the author featured in your "Insight" column on Dec. 31, 1994, I am not quite sure if the man is a Moslem.

However, when I read the italicized description of the writer's identity at the end of the article, I was rather astounded to learn that he is in fact a rector of a Muhammadiyah Teachers Training Institute.

After reading through the story of his Personal Transition Towards Religious Tolerance I sort of feel sorry for him. He was a victim of colonial cultural subordination and of the "Inlanders" as they were called then. He suffered, unfortunately, strong feelings of inferiority, just because he came from a strict and orthodox Moslem family.

When he was in the U.S., he said that it was difficult for him to interact with his fellow Moslems who mostly came from -- and he specifically named -- Iran, Afghanistan, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt and Sudan. He said he had become a different person and found it strange and difficult to get along well with anyone Moslem. This despite the fact that he was still a Moslem?

This feeling of alienation from Islamic life, in my opinion, was caused by a lack of or by the absence of Islamic practice in his daily life.

He admitted that he was deeply touched and grateful when an American Catholic friend invited him to celebrate Christmas and he then experienced a serene and solemn ceremony. He really enjoyed Christmas songs and joined in the singing of Christmas carols. And he enjoyed the boys choir tremendously. The choir sounded to him like angelic voices from heaven.

From what he expressed I might conclude that he admires and adores everything western. He might also think that Christianity originally came from a place somewhere in the U.S., Canada or Spain or maybe Rome. If only he realized that Jesus Christ was born in a village somewhere in Palestine, he might regret having such deep admiration.

In his deep fascination with the Christian culture, civilization and all, he still asked himself whether he was making a mistake. These questions were, I think, just some additional expressions of his doubt of Islam, which he confesses to believe in. In my opinion he absolutely knew the right answer to his own questions.

In helping him to answer his questions, in case he really needs it and of course if he wouldn't mind, I only would like to suggest that he be consistent and try to be himself.

It would be a great mistake to feel Christian but declare oneself a Moslem.

ACHMAD R. SURENGGANA

Praya,

West Nusa Tenggara