I’ve attended an interesting lecture at DAI on “Islamic Heritage in Bosnia and Herzegovina” given by Mr. Kenan Music. What’s really interesting and I liked was what he said within his talk and the Q&A segment.
“We need to build on common values”
He was discussing that different concepts and ideologies can co-exist, different religions within a region can be peacefully practiced, if the society or as he frequently referenced, human civilization, was built on good values that are common amongst all beliefs.
We are so focused on the things that set us apart and to prove the other wrong which eventually leads to clashes.
Education, Education, Education … Education without hidden agenda, Education without control, Education from qualified scholars who set minds free to think on their own.
Islam today was discussed. What he said is that we are too busy and focused on defending Islam and what Islam is NOT, that we forget what Islam is.
I LOVE examples, it always helps me understand things better. This is how he put the above argument.
It’s like arguing 1+1 does not equal to 3, does not equal to 4 does not equal to 5 … endless possibilites!
He said for us to move forward we need to speak one language, and I immediately thought English, but he said “art”. Which I didn’t get! Some of us don’t get art or appreciate it, myself included, I can’t say I fully understood this point.
Across centuries one civilization rises and is strong but eventually comes weak and dissolves and another takes over. Civilizations need to be built around humans, built to respect, value and cherish human lives, and not upon labels, regions and differences.
I thought the lecture would’ve been better if he had spoken in his mother tongue language and someone translated through headphones. I really felt he wanted to express himself more but couldn’t find the proper words.
#1 by MBH on January 9, 2012 - 11:28 PM
I’m writing from my mobile so this will be brief.
From the examples he gave was how Europe was struggling in the 18th century in wars declared in the name of the Chruch & Christianity, while in Bosnia, Christians, Jews, Muslims & people of other beliefs lived together in harmony.
As for art, imagine a mosque being built the way catholic churches were built (structure design). Imagine a Christian school built the way Arabic houses & mosques were built.
Imagine a public library with graffiti walls, Thuluth inscriptions on the ceiling and other cultur and religious blends in one place.
Paintings are sometimes not understood until the life of the painter or the circumstances that lead to drawing it are known. So art isn’t straight forward always, but the mind absorbs more & more with time until it can start linking things together.