Bahasa Indonesia
During Ramadhan this year, the Salihara Society will organize a series of lectures that discuss the philosophers Voltaire’s and Goethe’s as well as statesman Soekarno’s views on Islam.
The speakers present would be Ida Sundari Husen, Dewi Candraningrum, and Goenawan Mohamad.
Voltaire (1694–1778), a French writer and philosopher, is known to have a critical view on religions that creates religios fanaticism and manipulation.
One of Voltaire’s plays is entitled “Mahomet”, which does not tell about Prophet Mohammad’s history, but his interpretation of fanaticism representation.
Meanwhile Goethe (1749–1832), a writer and renowned thinker from Germany, produced appreciative works on Islam and was influenced by Persia writer Syamsuddin Muhammad Hafidz al-Syirazi (1315–1390), usually called Hafez in the west.
Goethe also wrote a literary work in the form of diwân, which he made into one of his works.
He also introduced the term “global literature” which shows his openness of literary works from outside Europe, especially from the East (Islam and Persian).
Meanwhile Soekarno (1901-1970), one of the Indonesia’s founding fathers, had a typical view of Islam.
He tried to find “Islamic Fire” and differentiate it from “Weak Islam”, digging islamic teachings which were pro development and strengthened nationalism.
What is more important, Soekarno tried to create a relationship between Islam and the Nation.
He read about Turkey’s secularism under Mustafa Kemal Attaturk and the advent of Wahabi in Saudi Arabia.
He had a firm view of religious freedom, from Ahmadiyah issues up to the prohibition of coercion in the name of religion.
Lecture schedules:
Saturday, August 21 at 07.00PM – Voltaire and Islam. Speaker: Ida Sundari Husein
Saturday, August 28 at 07.00PM – Goethe and Islam. Speaker: Dewi Candraningrum
Saturday, September 4 at 07.00PM – Soekarno and Islam,. Speaker: Goenawan Mohamad.
The event is open to the public and free.
Before the lectures, there will be iftar meals.
To register, please contact Dita at 0812-8184-5500 or through email in dita@salihara.org, 20 Juli 2010.at the latest.
Tempointeractive | August 20, 2010
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