RSSChristian and Muslim leaders recently shared about the spirit of sacrifice embodied by two major figures in their religions: Al Husein, grandson of Prophet Muhammad, and Jesus Christ.
About 100 Muslims and Christians, mostly Catholics, attended the Jan. 9 workshop, Reflection on Al Husein´s and Jesus Christ´s Sacrifice for Humanity. It was held in the hall of St. Paul Parish in Wonosobo district, Central Java.
The district chapter of the Movement of Indonesian Muslim University Students, the Catholic parish´s pastoral council, and Sangkakala Syiah, the district-based community of Shia Muslims, jointly organized the workshop.
Abaz Zahrotin, an organizer, told UCA News that the three groups decided to hold the event because they are concerned about the tense state of relations among religions in today´s world. “We are worried because religion is being used as a tool of segregation,” he explained. “Wars and violence occur. Today we want to change that view. All religions teach kindness and peace.”
Two Islamic scholars, a Catholic priest and a Protestant pastor spoke on the workshop theme.
Ustadz A.M. Syafwan of Yogyakarta-based Rausyanfikr Foundation told participants how Al Husein and his family sacrificed their lives in the desert of Karbala in Iraq in a battle against Caliph Yazid.
He described Yazid, son of Muawiyah, an early Islamic leader and founder of the great Umayyad Dynasty of caliphs, as a corrupt and dictatorial leader who used religion to justify his misdeeds.
“The sacrifice of Al Husein shows that Islam is not about power,” said the ustadz, or Islamic teacher. Such sacrifice “shows Islam´s great and beautiful character, that of love and sacrifice for one´s followers.”
This incident “shows that the biggest challenge to a religion comes from hypocrisy … and lies told in the name of religion,” he continued.
Al Husein died on the 10th day of the month Muharram in the year 61 Hijrah, by the Islamic calendar, or Oct. 10, 680. His martyrdom is commemorated by Muslims as Ashura (10th). This year, it was celebrated on Jan. 7.
Sacred Heart Father Stefanus Sumpana, St. Paul parish priest, spoke on Jesus´ physical and mental sufferings on his journey to Calvary. “He bled when he was whipped. He suffered so much when he was nailed (on the cross),” he told participants.
The priest described how Jesus “was insulted and his dignity as a man completely crushed” during his ordeal.
“To us, Jesus, or Prophet Isa al-Masih (as he is called in Islam), is God who became man. As a man, he emptied himself … when he died on the cross and was regarded as a criminal.”
Reverend Samuel Sambudi, from the Javanese Protestant Church community in the district, quoted from the biblical passage on the parable of the Good Samaritan to highlight the sense of common brotherhood that Jesus taught.
In the parable, a Jew beaten by robbers and left to die is assisted by a Samaritan, a person from an ethnic group the Jews despised.
“We should not discriminate against people by their religion,” Reverend Sambudi stressed. “We are created to be brothers and sisters, and should not be segregated by religion or race.”
Haqqi El Ansary, a Muslim scholar who is active in local interreligious dialogue, pointed out how Jesus and Al Husein were regarded as challenging the power structures of their time.
“We must be brave in voicing the truth,” he suggested.
Leonardus Ngaspan, a participant from the parish, thought the event helped the Christian and Muslim participants get to know one another better. “Difference is a blessing, and it gives us an opportunity to learn about other religions,” he said afterward.
Reverend Sambudi, also speaking to UCA News, said he feels such interreligious gatherings “must be continuously organized.”
The event was the first such program to be jointly organized by the Movement of Indonesian Muslim University Students, St. Paul Parish and Sangkakala Syiah.
Shia form 10-15 percent of Muslims in the world, according to various sources. Almost all the rest are Sunni Muslims.
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