Director of Cordova Academy Canada Prof. Imam Jebara was invited as a keynote speaker of guest lecture in University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) (4/23). The event was organized by International Relation Office of UMM with Center of Islamic Studies and Philosophy of UMM. It was followed by not less than 100 participants.
Jebara stated, Islamic development today was not separated from its precursor role. The prophet Muhammad SAW (Rasulullah) and scientists in his era had given foundation for Islamic civilization. This was the reason why Islamic civilization developed rapidly. “It is far before the west finds wide range of science and technology, Islamic scientist had previously initiated a wide range of important discoveries,” said Jebara in the event named “Middle East Contemporary Islamic Civilization”.
The lecture was delivered in English and Arabic. The participants who mostly UMM students seemed enthusiastic and understood the material. It was not only because the language was easy to be understood but also the humble delivery of the speaker gave the other attractions.
Furthermore, Jebara added, war destroyed much civilization at that time. Many victims fell, knowledge, and many books were destroyed in the war. It was not surprising if some important ideas had been stolen and even completely destroyed.
Discussing modern civilization, Jebara invited the participants to be optimistic. The strength of positive thought and optimist were a key development of Islamic civilization. In addition, he affirmed, everything that happened in the world was good thing. “Our personality will address whether the matter should be dealt with positive or negative. This is reflected from the optimism and pessimism of human being. Besides, every person must be knowledgeable and well-mannered.
He added, everything can be taken from someone, either property, wealth, health, and so forth. Though, one thing he thought was important was honor which was owned by each individual. This was the reason why Islamic community at that time remained optimistic despite being in the middle of ranging war.
Muslim optimism was believed to evoke spirit in the midst of crisis. Islamic community was quickly to evoke from the problems and they were not submerged too long. A strong will was really important to achieve a goal. That was what people do to remain struggling on the name of Islam.
“Islam come peacefully, Islam never use harshness to somebody in order to follow the religion. Similarly, Islamic development also happens in every country that most people adhere of Islamic teaching. Islam never breaks personality even nation’s culture. Moreover, Islam remains maintaining the culture of particular countries,” explained Jebara.
“Islam didn’t destroy identity of people,” he added. According to him, Islam precisely mingled with the other religions or cultures existed before. Islam even wanted go hand in hand with other religions and exactly avoided disunity though in the middle of difference.
Islam could be made harmonious with culture existed in certain countries. For the example, a wide range of architecture could be combined by the local cultures of certain communities. Such as mosque that shaped like Chinese temple was influenced by Chinese culture. This indicated that Islam was open to nation’s culture.
Hasnan Bachtiar, chief of the committee hoped every participants attended the event would put big attention for Islamic resurgence. “I hope there will be spirit dissemination or spirit of optimism in every person,” he added. Thus, people will know and those who have known will get more knowledge as well as get stronger faith. (uci/nas/t_vik)
