Islam should be addressed peacefully and lovingly. Islam is not a religion with enmity, moreover among religions.

It was conveyed by Orhan Cicek, Ph.D., the head of the Australia Intercultural Society Executive Advisor when presenting the material in a public lecture conducted on the cooperation of Fethullah Gulen Chair of Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta and Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY). The theme of this event was “Muslim Identity, Characteristics, Prespectives, and Goals at the Troubled and Challenged World”. This lecture took place in Mini Theater, Building D, Language Training Center of UMY on Saturday (1/11).

Orhan stated that his visit to Indonesia aimed at addressing the glory of Islam that should be comprehended and performed lovingly and without hostility of inter-religion. He also explained that the audiences should be aware and grateful because of being born as Muslims.

“It is compulsory for all Muslims to convey the glory of Islam. I come to Indonesia for the reason. We should conceive and implement it tenderly and without enmity of inter-religion. I attempt to remind you that we have to be thankful since we were born as Muslims,” uttered the Turkish-descent man.

Additionally, Orhan told that every human being was born with the nature of Islam. However, the one who turned the child to be Christian, Jew, or others was the parents. “We unforgettably tell all people that every man is born with the nature of Islam which is full of love and affection. Nevertheless, by the time the child grows up, the parents bring him/her into Christian or Jew.”

For two-hour lecture, the audiences welcomed Orhan with high enthusiasm. It can be noticed that the room has been filled by students who attended to wait for Orhan since the morning. Their eagerness also could be seen in question and answer session that there were many queries dealing with the challenges faced by Islam in the modern era. (Shidqi)