"Be a great moslem: Balancing Subtance as well as form"

By: Rahma Suci Sentia

As a moslem,there are need to promote islam. Some argue that using islamic symbol are the best way,like islamic bank,islamic insurance, etc. Yet,in my view, there is no justification to moslem which could head on 'form over subtance' or 'subtance over form' because for a right moeslem, 'subtance as well as form'.

People may think that islamic symbol can provide more 'islamic curiousity' for world people,both moslem or not moslem. For example Malaysia,Brunei Darussalam and Arabic, they can make islam as on top of consideration of world people because of their symbol. Through this symbol, islamic curiousity can be grown faster and then a wider variety of groups also can be reached. Although more symbol is being used,there could be misunderstanding effect on islam because of unknown and long term risk of 'form (symbol) over subtance'.

It is certainly the case that head on subtance over form in promoting islam can give good impact to some regions . It can be seen in countries such as UK where islamic finance institution has become as popular as others today .They have known islamic finance institution since at first, but just limited in its form or symbol until it has shown up its success on subtance in tackling  economic crisis .  Eroding people's misunderstanding of particularly islamic finance as it self,islamic subtance of this institution then has been replicated by UK without symbol. Amazingly,now in UK,the quantity of moeslem as well as islamic understanding of non-moeslem UK  citizens have been growing,not just limited about islamic finance but also others aspect of islamic value and system.

However, a islamic promotion has to fulfill at  subtance and at form. Many of countries,such as Turkey, has experienced both of these. Islamic civilization of Turkey declined when they first left the islamic symbol even forbidden that,then they forgot islamic subtance.  Fortunately, its islamic civilization has been rapidly increasing after its religious governor has been assimilating islamic value and moral without a islamic symbol in their government system. Todays, althought its still new,Turkey citizens is starting to permit islamic symbol,because day by day, they understand that for the moslem,substance as well as form.

In conclusion,I am certain that as the great moslems,they always should a balance  both substance  dan symbol form in promoting islam. Where does it start,in first time, depend on the local and regional situation.

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