JIL English Edition

Islam claimed and is proud to be religion without priesthood system. In fact, the Muslim leaders used to have similar pretension, they claim of having the right to publish the list of do’s and don’ts for Muslims, based on the authority of holy books and prophet teachings.

It is important to note that the shining Islamic civilization in the past did not stand alone. It was the result of dynamic interaction with other civilizations such as Greek, Egypt, Persia, and India. Muslim scientists used to hold dialog with and learn from other civilizations. The image of open minded, tolerant and pluralist dominated the character of Muslim scientists in that time.

This case indicates that whenever religion did not appear in peaceful form and respect humanity, its adherent will move away. When it is being rigid and nonnegotiable with the context, it will lose its prophetic mission. When religious institution becomes dominant, the politic of identity and power relation will take over.

My civilization as an Arab-Muslim laid not on the obligatory of wearing headscarf, furthermore niqab and burqa. I had left shallow perception about standard of civilization based on artificial matters. I dream about civilization that preserves morality.

Some viewed that woman is creature who arouse man’s desire and libido therefore she should stay indoor. Her voice is aurat, her body opens the way to discord ( fitna), her mind is deficient, and her faith is incomplete. Therefore, she has no freedom to do anything or to determine her choice.

Almost every Islamic studies textbook in Saudi schools –and I think in any other Muslim countries as well- taught about the universality of Islam and that it is the only true religion. This doctrine is not the creation of ulema, but it is derived directly from Quran that says: “And who seek as religion other than Islam it will not be accepted from him, and he will be a loser in the Hereafter.” (Sura 3:85)

People will realize the benefit of liberalism and secularism when they were minority. Because both systems arose in the West among others in order to protect minorities. Indonesian Muslims, being majority, were totally unaware about the benefit of secularism and liberalism.

Mr. Watt affirmed that the modern challenge is holding a harmonious relationship between Muslims and Christians, which can be done by tracing the history of both religions from their original sources. An “objective” review is important, since most of the leaders and adherents of both religions used to prioritize their theological apology.

The Islamic studies in the West always develop. It started as a part of polemic against Islam, and it afterward developed as a “means” to support the colonial domination upon the Muslim world, and now it develops further as part of Western society’s attempt to build mutual understanding among human civilizations.

Please note that what we are yelling now as “freedom!” (merdeka!) indeed means freedom in republican classic definition. Freedom means realization of “liber”, the free citizen. Please note that on this point the term freedom and liberal are interchanging.