…closing the department on the reason to save the budget is really an unwise decision. The argument that religion can be studied alone or attached to other departments, not in single body department reflecting inter-religious relationship, means the luck of comprehension on the important of mutual understanding among various religious backgrounds amid this rapid globalization. Since religion is one of humans’ ingredients that affect their economic, political, social, and cultural manifestations, studying religion needs a strong institution. 

Save FIU Religious Studies

Dear Sir/Madam,

FIU Board of Trustees, 

I am Ahmad Muttaqin, a faculty member of Comparative Religion Department at Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University, Yogyakarta Indonesia. I was graduated from MA Program of FIU Religious Studies Department in 2005 where I was sponshored by Fulbright scholarship.  A week ago I heard from news that the religious studies department of FIU will be closed to cut university budget.

I thing closing the department on the reason to save the budget is really an unwise decision. The argument that religion can be studied alone or attached to other departments, not in single body department reflecting inter-religious relationship, means the luck of comprehension on the important of mutual understanding among various religious backgrounds amid this rapid globalization. Since religion is one of humans’ ingredients that affect their economic, political, social, and cultural manifestations, studying religion needs a strong institution. Therefore, as an alumnus of the religious studies department, I really could not understand the reason to shut down the department. I could not imagine the impact of eliminating the department toward university, regional and international life where mutual understanding among religions is highly in demand.

In sum, I just want to assert my disagreement to the closure of the department, and strongly support any efforts that students and faculties have done in order to save the department.  I do hope that all FIU board of trustees are guided by the Wisdom to choose the best decision and save the department.

Viva Religious Studies!

Best wishes,

Ahmad Muttaqin

____________

Surat di atas saya kirim kepada anggota Board of Trustee (semacam Majelis Wali Amanat) Florida International University pada akhir bulan Mei 2009. Selaku alumni saya punya tanggung jawab menyuarakan ketidaksetujuan terhadap rencana penutupan almamater saya tersebut hanya karena pihak universitas defisit anggaran. Saat dunia makin menglobal dan sekat ruang dan waktu tidak lagi menjadi hambatan perjumpaan antar orang dengan berbagai latar belakang, ide penutupan departemen yang selalu mendorong dialog antar agama tersebut jelas langkah yang kontra produktif. Krisis financial juga tidak tepat dijadikan alasan sebab selama ini departemen tersebut, menurut laporan beberapa staf pengajar di sana, mampu “self financed” dan justru bisa menyumbang income untuk universitas. Reaksi keras penolakan penutupan tidak hanya datang dari para dosen, staf dan mahasiswa di FIU tapi juga tokoh-tokoh American Academy of Religion (AAR). Dalai Lama bahkan rela menyumbang $100,000.00 untuk menyelamatkan departemen tersebut.  Beberapa aluni juga membuat penolakan melalui jejaring sosial yang ada di internet. Hasil dari penyuaran tersebut: Religious Studies di FIU tidak jadi ditutup. Viva Religious Studies

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