Faith Commercialization
Watching some great talkshows like Today's Dialogue, Save Our Nation (both are aired by Metro TV) and Tatap Muka (produced by TV One) featuring greatly influential figures has become one of my hobbies. Freshly invigorating opinions, warm exchange of ideas, so many things to get from the shows but sadly I fail to find the excerpts of the intelligent discussions on some sites owned by the TV stations broadcasting the shows. Thus, I tried to make some brief and concise notes on these precious ideas conveyed amidst the discussions, and later to get my notes published on my dear blog.
In this post, I would like to show you some witty banters uttered by several outstanding figures in this republic. Hosted by Kania Sutisnawinata, the show was quite lively. And with four male keynote speakers, Kania managed to lead the discussion elegantly.
The four speakers invited here were Soetrisno Bachir (politician, Partai Amanat Nasional top official ), Komarudin Hidayat (moslem intellectual), Yusuf Mansyur (moslem sermonizer, cleric and scholar) and Noorhaidi Hasan (analyst).
The show began with severe criticism about programs airing during sahur time. The programs were considered inappropriate as they displayed too much humor, instead of Islamic teachings and values.
Mr. Hidayat stated that it is advisable TV stations broadcast some worthwatching programs that specialize on diverse topics. Therefore, by the end of Ramadhan our TV viewers might have more profound understanding and knowledge on Islam kept on their mind.
What might seem hilarious was a question and answer session. Some university students were attending the show as audience and they were welcomed to ask question(s) to the speakers. The first student blatantly said that he preferred watching the comical sahur programs as watching the jokes kept him wide awake. He asked to Yusuf Mansyur the question "How many rupiahs do sermonizers get from each of their sermon?" The second student was also asking a pretty much similar question "Is it OK for a sermonizer to spread the religious advice for the sake of his/her own fame?".
The four speakers were ready to provide varied answers. Komarudin Hidayat said it is quite normal and of course decent enough for a sermonizer to ask for people's understanding. Sermonizers can ask for some money as long as the amount is agreed between two sides; the inviter and the invitee (in this case, the sermonizers). If the amount is above the normalcy, added Hidayat, asking for it then becomes prohibited. Hidayat suggested the third party role such as a professional event organizer, just to prevent further misunderstanding.
Noorhadi Hasan had quite different opinion. He said the rate fixing mechanism like this would naturally lead to a healthier sermonizing competition.
Upon hearing this, Yusuf Mansyur was directly clarifying his own stance in this matter. He, as a sermonizer, never states verbally and directly how much money he must get after giving sermon. He even tried to explain that the rate may come up from the people around him, but definitely not himself. And this is just taken for granted. Mansyur later elaborated that living a life as a sermonizer with the aim to earn some financial benefits is certainly not what a good sermonizer has on mind.
(to be continued)
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