The phenomenal success of both the movie and the book Ayat-Ayat Cinta (AAC) is a reflection of our social conditioning and aspirations. What is interesting is that AAC has been able to dilute the “differences” in such conditioning and aspirations to the extent of being unrecognizable. The movie and the book have been equally appreciated by our President, our clergy and normal people.
“Pluralism is a ground fact here, so we have to accept it,” says a politician whose party has a set of religious dogmas and doctrines as its guiding principles.
It is frustrating and disheartening to see how we, the so-called “civilized” citizens of this “civilized” world, can still behave in a most uncivilized manner.
We were all relieved by the statement made by our President on Geert Wilder’s film Fitna, which he said had the potential to disrupt harmony in society (The Jakarta Post, April 1, 2008). Well done, Bapak President — we salute you for your timely decision and prompt action.
I first met His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1996. Accompanying me was a parliamentarian and two other friends. We were fortunate enough to have a private audience with him. When I said we were from Indonesia, he immediately reacted: “Oh yes, yes, yes … Indonesia …. Tibet has very strong relations, strong ties with Indonesia.”
One may ask, “Are we progressing now?”
It depends on how we define the word “progress”. It depends on what kind of yardstick we use to measure our progress. If we use the number of super malls, skyscrapers, luxurious housing and shopping complexes as the major yardstick – then yes, we are progressing.