Novels or literature espousing an Islamic viewpoint have attracted wide public attention with some of them even being adapted to the silver screen, such as Ayat-ayat Cinta (Love Verses), Ketika Cinta Bertasbih (When Love Prays), and Laskar Pelangi (Rainbow Warriors). This plays a big role in popularizing Islamic culture, especially for those to whom it is foreign.
Ayat-ayat Cinta touches on the theme of polygamy, while in Ketika Cinta Bertasbih, Anna, played by Oki Setiana Dewi, doesn't want to be part of a polygamous household although she resigns herself to it. Oki said it was important to point out that women could choose whether they wanted to be in a polygamous marriage.
"Although I use a veil, I can still be an actress. So, it doesn't mean that being a Muslim bars me from working," Oki said in a film review of Ketika Cinta Bertasbih during the Islamic Book Fair. She added that as long as Islam was shown in a good light, it was acceptable.
In the book fair held by humanities students from the University of Indonesia (Formasi FIB UI) from Nov. 24-26 at the Center for Japanese Studies in Depok, West Java, visitors could also attend seminars and talk shows on films, book reviews, writing workshops and motivational seminars.
"Religion is man's efforts to understand the mysteries of our world," Tomy Christomy, a UI lecturer, said during a talk encompassing religion in literature.
He said classical literature written between the 13th and 16th centuries was strongly influenced by the ruling sultanate or kingdom of the era. The literature was not always fiction, as some described factual events, history or law and were all beautifully written.
"Nowadays, modern literature leans more toward fiction, but there are values, problems and personal experiences. It is written in a creative way where the personal is in the spotlight," Tomy said.
Ibnu Wahyudi, another UI lecturer, added religion in literature should be seen as an inspiring and enlightening experience to readers and not just preach idioms of Islam. Therefore not all literature or film containing religious idioms could be considered religious. He cited literature by writers like Chairil Anwar, which he considered religious because of the self-defeating attitude of the protagonist.
He added, "Writing is about how the writer convinces the reader to imagine the world the writer creates. A good writer is able to concoct strategy and role playing."
The final day of the Islamic Book Fair ended with a motivational seminar by Eko "Rama" Ramaditya Adikara, a blind man, who considered his handicap a gift, and is a motivational speaker, journalist, blogger, game music composer and also a writer, with his autobiography entitled Blind Power: Berdamai dalam Kegelapan (Blind Power: Peace in Darkness).
"My passion for reading and writing has improved my status as a blind person. My blindness makes ordinary things become extraordinary," Rama said.
Rama believes his blindness will help him choose a wife because he doesn't have to judge by the looks. He has also written an autobiography, detailing his experiences as a blind person and his work as a blogger, journalist and composer, which can considered extraordinary achievements, even for sighted people.
"By being grateful to God and seeking true potential in oneself, one can achieve great things," Rama said. He encouraged the audience to read, write, have willpower, determination, ambition and never forget to pray to God so they could be meaningful people.
Edy Gunawan, a UI student in the audience who was particularly moved by Rama, pointed out how people like Rama could turn their weaknesses into strengths. He said he hoped he could achieve such an outlook on life.
Newly graduated Meirna Asti Ramadhanie, also in the audience, said by reading good books, people could change into better people.
"Some Indonesian students don't take the time to read and write as much as they should, so I hope this event will make people take more interest in reading and writing for the greater good," Santoso, one of the project coordinators, said.
