Interfaith Dialogue

In my 28 years of age, finally alhamdulillah I got the chance to attend such an event: Interfaith Dialogue. My closest encounter of Interfaith Dialogue experience is through the reading of Isabella (malay translation by SN Abdullah Hussain), and watching videos of talks and debates by prominent scholars such as Ahmed Deedat and Dr Zakir Naik.

Therefore, when I learned that IIUM SRC will organize such an event, I did not think twice to attend it. The speakers are representatives from three main religions in Malaysia: Bro. Shah Kirit: Islam, Dr Lee (if I am not mistaken): Buddha, and Reverend (I forgot what's his name, sorry): Christianity. Bro Kirit has given numerous talks and speeches in my beloved IIUM, and mostly he would talk about how he converted to Islam till I think that I could memorize his account on that matter. But, thank God, that night he talked about Islam from a comparative religion view. Every speaker took the stage to convey about their religions especially the thelogical aspects.

Bro Shah Kirit did manage to explain about Islam in a wonderful and convincing way, Even while he speaks, he kept glancing at the other speakers, to get their attentions. I suppose, his huge experience in giving talks at various places, including church does help making him an effective dai'e. Dr Lee, the Buddha representative has also made an impact. His soft spoken manner certainly caught the audiences' attention. Not to mention his British accent (ok, that doesn't count, since I have a soft spot for guys with british accents), and my colleague was attracted to the way he pronounced all the sanskrit words. If any of you readers starts thinking that we are attracted to Buddhism, I give you my word, no we are not. As much as he managed to convey his message in a convincing way, but still, being a Muslim, I believe that Islam has a stronger foundation and reasoning.

As for Reverend Tan (now I remember his name, finally), in my humblest honest opinion, each time he tried to answer the questions forwarded to him, his message didn't come across. Maybe, I was slow in understanding him, but I personally think that Idris Tawfiq's (former Roman Catholic priest) reasonings for Christian beliefs are much more believable. And even Idris Tawfiq is already a Muslim when I heard him explaining all the reasons behind Christian principles. I don't know, maybe I am biased or maybe I lack knowledge, correct me if I am wrong, but I have no intention to belittle Reverend Tan.

There are two quotes of that night's dialogue, which I would like to share here since I think they best describe what Interfaith Dialogue is all about:

"By learning and understanding about other religions doesn't mean that you have to convert to other religion. Infact, when you study about other beliefs, you will also study more about your own religion and you will understand your religion better. I always bring all the religious scriptures everywhere, and never once they fight each other." (Shah Kirit)

"Try to understand other people's beliefs, but at the same time, DO NOT surrender your faith." (Dr Lee)

p/s: If any the event's committee is reading this, next time please don't provide snacks while the panels are answering the questions. The sound of snacks unwrapping is sooo annoying... imagine hundreds of people unwrapping their snacks at the same time huhu

Laskar Pelangi

Tajuk : Laskar Pelangi

Pengarang: Andrea Hirata

Penerbit: PT Bentang Pustaka

Edisi September 2005

Sepintas lalu, kisah ini tampak biasa, kisah anak-anak di sekolah Muhammadiyah (semacam sekolah agama rakyat di Malaysia saya kira) di Pulau Belitong menuntut ilmu dalam keadaan serba kekurangan. Sepatutnya begitulah, kisah ini sepatutnya kisah biasa, namun jangkaan saya meleset amat. Saat-saat saya menguliti buku ini, saya bagai tercampak ke Pulau Belitong, sama-sama menuntut di Sekolah Muhammadiyah. Sama-sama merasakan hangatnya setiakawan para anggota Laskar Pelangi. Lintang yang genius, Mahar sang seniman, A Kiong yang setia, Sahara yang feminis, Trapani si tampan, Samson yang berlagak macho, Flo anak orang kaya aneh yang berdegil mahu bersekolah di Sekolah Muhammadiyah, Harun yang bodoh-bodoh alang namun luar biasa baik hati, Kuchai dan Syahdan yang sukar diramalkan, serta si Ikal sang pemimpi: yang mana dari perspektifnya kisah ini berputar. Lebih luar biasa, si Ikal ini sebenarnya adalah sang pengarang buku ini, Andrea Hirata sendiri. Ya, ini kisah benar, catatan Andrea Hirata tentang pengalamannya.

Pencerahan utama yang saya perolehi dari Laskar Pelangi ialah ketabahan dalam menangani kesusahan pembelajaran. Secara jujur, saya jadi malu dengan diri sendiri yang mudah saja mengalah apabila didatangi sedikit kesulitan dalam proses menuntut ilmu. Kisah si genius Lintang yang paling mengesankan: berbasikal 80 km setiap hari pergi balik sekolah, menempuhi perjalanan yang sukar (melalui kawasan paya-bakau dihuni buaya, ya.. buaya.. saya jumpa babi hutan tengah jalan hendak pergi mengaji Quran pun boleh berpatah balik), pulang dari sekolah mengambil upah jadi kuli kopra; lalu hanya saat semua penghuni rumah tidur, barulah Lintang mula menelaah menggunakan lampu minyak tanah. Saya tidak malu mengaku yang air mata saya menitik saat saya membaca perihal kesungguhan Lintang.

Namun, ada juga tikanya saya tertawa membaca buku ini. Banyak sekali kisah-kisah lucu ditambah pula gaya bahasa Andrea Hirata memberikan deskripsi yang sangat memukau dalam setiap proses penceritaannya. Sukar untuk saya percaya, sang pengarang tidak punya latar belakang sastera. Nah, bukankah itu satu lagi pencerahan: tiada yang mustahil jika kita mahu mencapai sesuatu, yang penting, lakukannya! (Ya, ida_zy, kali ini bertekadlah habiskan karangan tesis yang sudah berapa kali bertangguh, dan kejarlah impian mahu jadi penulis itu!)

Usai membaca buku ini, saya bagai dihambat untuk mengarang kisah hidup saya pula. Ternyata, kehidupan setiap manusia di atas muka bumi ini unik dan menarik. Hanya saja kita cuba untuk melihat sudut yang positif dalam setiap aspek takah-takah kehidupan yang kita tempuhi. Saya kuat sekali mencadangkan supaya buku ini dibaca untuk mengembalikan dan menjana semangat agar mampu mendepani sebarang halangan dan keraguan dalam mengejar impian dan cita-cita. Ya, jadilah sang pemimpi. Pemimpi yang tidak pernah putus asa!

p/s: *sigh* here comes another crush :->