By: Slamet Makhsun *) (Secretary of HMPS SAA for the period 2020/2021)

This paper is the minutes of the webinar Discussion the Series #4 HMPS SAA Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University, on Monday 26 April 2021, with speaker Dr. Roma Ulinnuha, M.Hum.

It is a necessity that this universe has a very diverse content. From plants, animals, humans, to even inanimate objects, of course, have different styles. If quoting from an Islamic perspective, God has created his creatures differently. It is expressly said that no one creature is the same. Even if there are many creatures of the same type or species, there are certainly differences. This is one of the strong arguments for religious believers, that God's power is indeed real.

From the past until now, the arguments of religious believers as above, have not been refuted by atheists. If you look at one small thing, let's say the genes in the body of every living thing, absolutely nothing is the same. Millions or even trillions of living beings from one-celled to those with complex cell networks, have not been found to have the same genes. This has been studied by biologists. And as a result, what is said in the holy book that God has created different creatures is real and true.

In another verse, the Qur’an says that God has created living things to be in pairs. Pairs here, if using the narrow meaning of loving each other and then having a family - such a definition, only applies to humans. However, if it is interpreted more broadly, then all the harmony that exists on earth cum everything in the universe, has been paired by God. That is, this universe can run normally, because each part has been paired and has the right portion.

For example, the sun and the moon are paired by God to illuminate the earth: the sun during the day and the moon at night. If these two elements no longer function, then the earth will experience an imbalance. The earth will be destroyed and die. Therefore, it is right that God created humans with all their differences and colors. And if there is someone who wants human uniformity, then that person is very shortsighted. He really does not know how the mechanism of this world works. If human beings are homogenized, then the worst effect will be damage to human beings. People will fight each other and will eventually be struck by death.

Generally, the differences that are concerned and often promoted are differences in race, skin color, and religion. A lot of human tragedies occur because some people or groups, always question these differences. In fact, it has become the law of nature. It has become God's will.

When looking at the issue of race and religion-based human tragedies, it is necessary to approach it from the perspective of religious and public relations. Because acts of racism always stem from economics, ideology and politics. Money, value, and power. A group that takes issue with racism is usually jealous and looks down on other groups because of money, established power, or different values (ideology). Or vice versa, those who look down on other groups because they feel more noble and honorable. Again, the root is money, ideology and power.

Just look at how black people in America are. They are treated racistly and degraded by white people because they are considered poor, backward. Moreover, black people used to be a nation that was colonized and treated as slaves by the white nation. For example, if it was black people who colonized white people, then until now white people would not be racist.

Apart from money and power, religion is also an important factor in the proliferation of racism. This racism, however, rests more on faith. Faith is the main basis for religious adherents, so when a religious adherent meets another religious adherent, he will consider him inferior. Someone with a different religion will be labeled heretical, infidel, and entitled to hell. Statements like this, if not balanced with religious tolerance, will lead to arbitrary behavior.

A series of terrorist incidents that have befallen our country are the result of religious racism. Most of the terrorist groups are Muslims with a strict and rigid ideology. What they think is that groups other than them are misguided. Such statements are taken from their interpretation of the Qur’an and Hadith. Of course, the interpretation is very subjective according to themselves. So, when they carry out bombing actions, they consider it legitimate and even it will be rewarded with heaven by God. They do not feel sinful and guilty when they commit these heinous acts. The mindset they have built is different from the general public. The ideology they hold has become a justification for these heinous acts.

In the end, if religious believers can absorb religious teachings correctly, it will result in noble behavior. Religion itself is a set of teachings that demonstrate noble living. Racism, whether based on religion, skin color, race, or ethnicity, will not happen if humans can practice religion correctly. The challenge for religious adherents does not actually come from outsiders. Rather, it is how religious believers can absorb and properly understand the teachings of religion.

*) Dr. Roma Ulinnuha, M.Hum, Lecturer of Religious Studies Study Program of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta

*) Slamet Makhsun, Secretary of HMPS SAA for the period 2020/2021