Establishing Constructive

Interfaith Interaction

An opening discussion organized by Stube-HEMAT Yogyakarta to initiate Peace Studies program: Conflict Management and Resolution, on Monday, August 28, 2017 was interesting. Why? The speaker in the discussion was Ustadz Hasyim Abdullah, S.E, an author and practitioner of Islamic teaching (dakwah) who spoke among Christian students. As a member of FKUB (interfaith forum for harmony) of  Yogyakarta special region, Ustadz Hasyim gave positive appreciation for the activities carried out by Stube-HEMAT Yogyakarta because it opened space for interaction between Islamic leader and Christian youths. Such interaction will melt the communication between groups and will foster mutual trust.

According to Ustadz, 'Establishing Constructive Interfaith Interaction’ could be 'yes' means possible and also 'no' means impossible, depending on the willingness of the person. If you want to live alone it means you do not need to have relationships with other people or think that others do not need to exist. But the reality said that we live in Indonesia having more than 17 thousand different islands, diverse ethnics, religions and languages, and even today the mobility of people between regions is already high, especially supported by advanced technology, so that, interaction with many people of different backgrounds is so much possible. Further, every one can easily interact and express their opinions and thoughts. Frequently, the interaction brings differences in views between groups. This difference can lead to a conflict if it is not managed properly. For those who fail to accept differences will react openly as a destructive opponent (causing conflict), but on the contrary, there may be also a constructive reaction.

Furthermore, Ustadz Hasyim explained several points to build constructive interfaith interaction, such as: first, relearning the relationship between Islam and Christians in the range of history. There were some figures, such as Warrabah bin Nawfal bin Assad bin Abd al-Uzza, a Christian translator of Arabic language at that time. Then, there was king of Negus (Islam = Najas) in 600 AD, a wise king that did not want his people to be tyrannized. He accommodated prophet Muhammad and his followers to live in the area of his kingdom, and eastern Roman emperor (Byzantium) who had good relation with followers of Islam at that time. Second, understanding the diversity of social reality that exists in Indonesia. Thus, one should not feel as a noble person, more superior, greater and other more. Otherwise, one should not feel lower than others. Third, understanding the diversity in the context of religion. Religion is a belief that exists in one’s heart. In this context, no one is able to intervent human heart to believe in a religion, honestly, only the person knows the relationship with God. I do the belief that I believe and anyone who believes in his belief ought to understand it. Peace must be cultivated and disseminated, although some people were still unaware of the need to create peace.

At the end of the discussion Ustadz hoped that constructive interfaith interaction can be realized if each religion can erode prejudice and sceptic to one another. On the other hand, it is necessary to enlarge space of interfaith interaction and encounter for the sake of goodness. It is time for young people to be inspirators of change and peace. (TRU).