Comparative Study of a Century of Islamic Civilization in Turkey and the Archipelago

Yesterday, December 18, 2017, I participated in a public seminar. According to me, the study is very interesting. and what attracted me was the word 'Turkey' that made me come to the seminar. the seminar was held in the hall hall student center, Islamic university Syarif Hidayatullah.

unfortunately, I went alone to the location in the area of ​​Ciputat. I wanted to go with elisa (my best friend in a young Islamic organization, RISKA), but I had to go alone because Elisa had another agenda.

With 3500 rupiahs  for busway ride, I went to the seminar location. Alhamdulillah, travel smoothly. only, I so forget the main gate of Syarif Hidayatullah Islamic University so I just stop in front of the gates of university muhammadiyah jakarta .. hehehe. LoL.

But, alhamdulillah, it is not far, so I went on a small public transportation and paid 3000 rupiahs.

The seminar starts at 12.30 pm. after the Dzuhur prayer, I went down to the Hall. I was alone, but alhamdulillah, I met a new acquaintance, named Fatimah from Bogor.

I'm happy, because I can add friends every time I join a seminar or conference. we exchange mobile phone number to establish a relationship.

Okey, the seminar will start. participants' enthusiasm is so high that many participants can not seat. the number of enrollment of nearly a thousand people, while the Hall can not accommodate many participants so there are participants who can not seat.

The seminar begins with the opening, followed by the reading of the Holy Qur'an. Then, there was a speech from the event organizer. This event was held by Student Council Ushuluddin UIN Jakarta Faculty with Hayrat Foundation.

Subsequently, the event continued with a seminar led by moderator and 4 main speakers. they come from turkey, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

moderator and 4 keynote speakers

The seminar discusses about a century of Islamic civilization in Turkey. Lots of new notes that I get.

I take notes explanations from resource persons. What is interesting is when the speakers from Turkey discussed the history of Islam in Turkey. As we know that Turkey is well known as an Islamic country that dares to speak the truth. However, before like now, Turkey had experienced a difficult time. many historical records that I need to underline. Based on the explanation from Cemal (Turkish speaker), that a Turkish scholar once said that if one wants to preach, he must have 3 things:

1. Must know about Al-Qur'an and Hadith

2. Must know about the history of Islamic civilization

3. Must read many references

Ibn Qhaldun once said that the country is like a living organization, it is born, grows, develops, and then after the victorious, it will die.

Turkey during the Ottoman period also. After the Ustmani Dynasty collapsed, power was led by an At-Turk. he leads by applying a secular state.

As of 1924, At Turk succeeded in taking power in Turkey. He made a decision that made Islamic broadcasts obstructed even he erased all Arabic language in Turkey. He forbade the call to prayer in the Turkish sky. During 1924-1938, Turkey greatly implemented the secular state. There are about 130 scholars who were killed for teaching Islam. very sad when he heard explanation from Mr. Cemal about the dark history of Turkey at that time. However, after 80 years passed from the struggle, now Turkey is led by Erdogan who dare to voice Islam. Even now the world is looking towards Turkey and Erdogan's erratic leadership style.

 In Indonesia, the relationship with Turkey also appears from the arrival of the entourage of Maulana Malik Ibrahim who is a Turk. Maulana Malik Ibrahim is known as  wali songo (you can read in Islamic Studies in the archipelago). So even during the war in Aceh, Turkish troops were sent to help the war in Aceh.

From many of the explanations that I got at the seminar, I underlined that nowadays, Islam in the archipelago and Turkey is growing with many positive things both in humanity and in voicing Palestinian independence. With such seminar discussions, multilateral relations will be closer, because our goal is the same, that is united in one purpose and framed in one ukhwah, ukhwah islamiyyah.

Hopefully me and my friends can go around the archipelago and also Turkey to see how Islam is very rich in civilization, both in the past and later in the future.

 be prepared, young Muslims !!

 finally, I met Elisaa..and take photo with her!