#TrivialTuesday; Reflecting on Week 4 Lectures.

Therapeutic at times. Find the translations online and read it.

HE WAS BAPTISE!

This week's lectures reminded us of the former Indonesian President, Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur. 

Why?

We were talking about cultural ethnocentrism and outgroup or ingroup bias. Humans have put themselves under the possessions of groups, clubs, parties and other forms of gathering where people of the same interest assemble together for a purpose or two. It is hard to accept and practice 'universal love' as shown by Gus Dur, transcending religion, culture and ethnicity. Gud Dur is an ultimate example of people embracing 'universal love', some might say excessively embrace, but above all, his approach to love and understanding is nothing new. Islam teaches us to love all we can, assume the best as often as we can, without jeopardising our Tawhid. One needs to know his/her worldview and hold dear to it. 

Here are some of then net's most controversial videos on Gus Dur (because the internet culture is an amazing culture, you can find anything here and judge others freely). And some note before you proceed to the videos, know and correct your freaking worldview and don't be a Salafi and judge bluntly. Thanks.

So enjoy everyone. 

#TrivialTuesday; Reflecting on Week 3 Lectures.

Sang Kiai, 2013

Commenting on this week's lectures regarding Values, Beliefs and Norms in societies, we would like to comment on what had been mentioned in class as 'hierarchal' values of Malaysian society or in other words, Malaysians are of a high power distance culture. Social hierarchy is widely accepted and practice in the Malay Archipelago, even before the introduction of Islam to its people. Pre-Islamic era of the archipelago witnessed blind allegiance to priest and Sultans or Rajas in exchange for salvation and security. Those who have the money and power were respected because of money and power and those who are on top, were respected because they were on the above social pyramid structure. When Islam came to the archipelago, it brought with it reasons and logic to make sense of the cultural values of the people in the archipelago back then. 

We view the high power distance culture in this region as the manifestation of justice, or al-Adl, which, have been elaborated further by S.M.N al-Attas in his works, as putting something in its proper place. If a person, or a group of person should be treated above others, and not equal, due to his/her stature in the society, then be it. The Sultan was or still treated with respect, due to their perceived roles as a khalifah, or a leader of the society. With such roles, gives out massive responsibilities, hence, he should be put above others, but below Allah (as the ultimate sovereign), where he belongs.

Whatever it is, we're totally against cultural relativism, because the present is dead, the past is very much alive. Do we have this type of thinking 100 years ago? We'll leave you with this movie, and think about high-low context culture and power distance while watching this.