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| The last meeting of Muhammadiyah Update which discuss theme Muhammadiyah and Contemporary Cultural Identity Struggle. Prof. Dr. Syafiq Mughni MA states that the civilization between Islam and Western is a kind of assimilation process |
Periodic discussions organized by the Center for Islamic Studies and Philosophy (PSIF) titled "Muhammadiyah Update" entering the final round on Saturday (15/05). Four speakers, namely Prof. Dr. Syafiq Mughni MA, Dr. Zuly Qodir M.Si, Prof.Dr. Syamsul Arifin, M.Si and Head of the Cultural Institution (LK) of UMM, Dr. Sugiarti M. discussed the theme “Muhammadiyah and the Identity Battle of Contemporary Culture”.
Syamsul Arifin opened the discussion with his opinion about the modern culture that would be passed after muktamar (conference) that is in the second century. Citing the thought of an American expert, James Peacock, Muhammadiyah is an open organization when it comes to accepting outside cultures.
Then, he also evaluated that organization which was thrived in the era of the '70s is a movement that is not authority bound and it represents modern humans. Muhammadiyah people can be called cosmopolitan so thatthe culture is not defined in purely artistic boundaries. Indeed, these cultures contain the system of knowledge which is full of ideas, values and attitudes.
Muhammadiyah’s power which is related to those three things is example religious reformers. "I caught euphoria in Muhammadiyah cadres for it is not easy to maintain and preserve the Muhammadiyah up to a century like this," said the professor of UMM. So, we need to examine whether the power of the culture has already embedded or not.
Syamsul addressed that Muhammadiyah is experiencing ideological infiltration. This phenomenon can be seen by changing Muhammadiyah personality from inclusive into exclusive one. "On the other hand, Muhammadiyah education is no longer being to be reckoned player and it is lack of devotees," said Syamsul regretly.
Cultural change from cosmopolitan into exclusive greatly affects the development of amal usaha (institution owned by Muhammadiyah) which is of not dynamic. Still according to Syamsul, corporate culture in Muhammadiyah should be able to be differentiated based on the needs.
On the other hand, Sugiarti saw Islam and culture using different lens. Citing opinion from Western culture expert, Islam is the source of the culture itself. It is a source of theology lessons in which not only teaching the divinity, but also teaching a perfect culture as it set out in Surah Al Qashash: 77.
Cultural products in the form of knowledge should be based on religious teachings, so the clash between tradition and modernity can be fulfilled without losing the identity. "Science without religion would be blind. Similarly, religion without knowledge would be paralyzed," added the professor of Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) of UMM.
According to Sugiarti, Muhammadiyah can continue to be existed by providing various solutions for example being able to be wise in responding all the things happens in society proactively, selectively and intelligently. Then, it should continue to be guided by the Qur'an and sunah as a source of all sources of life in developing contemporary culture.
Meanwhile, Zuly Qodir added, popular culture and consumptive society is closely associated with globalization lover. Beside the great number of globalization negative impacts, the ease in accessing information is the positive side of the phenomenon. There was reduction of territory limitation which omitted barriers between city people and villagers.
Life style then shows the identity of the person as social prestige growing in the community. It happens as a result of cultural commodification and marketing culture massively. It is then usually called popular culture. "The example of popular culture can be seen from the widespread of using hijab ala artist for Indonesian Muslim women," said Zuly.
The importance of studying history makes human beings do not fall on the same hole. Thus, human beings are not confined to the stories of the past. "So, gozhul fikr process as war of thought is very important to build a culture that brought us the benefit and progress. It is the preference of Muhammadiyah’s power which opens a new civilization," continued Zuly.
As the last speaker, Syafiq Mughni revealed that when Islam meets Western civilization, it will be a process of assimilation. Some elements united into one culture which later becomes the enlightening one. The process of acculturation becomes the dominant culture. "So, let us make Muhammadiyah as a new culture through assimilation and acculturation and through the study of knowledge that has been tested for its intellectuality for our people enlightenment" he hopefully said. It needs to Islamize those things to the new area so that Muhammadiyah will be born into new, fresh and not dull organization. (rwp/nas/t_alf)
