Ingrid Mattson, Know Islam Through Art

Source :
http://www.republika.co.id/node/94136

Ingrid Mattson's name could be a topic of conversation in the Western media when his name entered in a list of figures who were invited to the inauguration after candidate Barack Obama President of the United States (U.S.) from the Democratic Party win in elections.

As reported by the Associated Press (AP), Mattson is president of the Islamic Community of North America (ISNA) is one of the religious leaders who will speak at a prayer event held at the National Cathedral in Washington DC the day after Obama's inauguration as president of the United States to 44 . Invitation was addressed to Mattson reap the American public controversy. Therefore, the relevant federal prosecutor suspects linked to terrorist networks. As is known, in July 2007, federal prosecutors in Dallas, told ISNA sue for allegedly having with a network of Islamic organization Hamas in Palestine, the U.S. government classified as a terrorist organization.

However, both Mattson and his organization was never punished. Prosecutors claimed only to have the evidence and testimony that could link the group to Hamas and other radical networks. Previously, Canadian-born Muslim of 1963 was also a surprise to have a meeting with Pentagon officials over the Bush administration. He also attended the Mass Democratic National Convention in Denver when Obama ran for president.

U.S. government and ISNA actually have a relationship of good cooperation. These groups provide religious training to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Karen Hughes, Bush confidante, said that Mattson as a great leader and role model for many people. Mattson is a professor of Islamic studies at Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut.

He earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from the University of Waterloo, Ontario, in 1987. While his Ph.D. in Islamic studies he obtained from the University of Chicago in 1999. Study of Islamic Law and Society. During college in Chicago, he was much involved in the activities of the local Muslim community.

He sat in the ranks of the Director of the Universal School in Bridgeview and committee members of Interfaith Committee of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago. Mattson also had settled in Pakistan and worked as a social worker for Afghan women refugees during the period 1987-1988. In 1995, he was appointed as an adviser for Afghanistan's UN delegation for the Commission on the Status of Women in charge.

While working in refugee camps in Pakistan this time he met the man who has become her husband, Amer Aetak, an engineer from Egypt. From their marriage, the couple was blessed with a daughter named Soumayya and one boy named Ubayda.

Although currently most involved in religious activities and served as President of ISNA, an organization based on the largest Muslim community in the U.S., but Mattson grew and grew in a Christian environment in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. His father was a criminal lawyer, while her mother worked at home raising her seven children.

Mattson stopped going to church at the age of 16 years on the grounds no longer believe what the church teaches. While studying at the University of Waterloo, he studied art and philosophy, which emphasizes freedom dinilainya someone to vote.

''A year before I became Muslim, I spent my time looking and seeing things related to art. We follow the educational philosophy and art, I sat for hours in darkened classrooms to see and listen to my professor explained through infokus projector, he explained about the power of the work of Western art,''he said as quoted from whyislam.org site.

Islam face
While at Waterloo, he had worked at the Department of Fine Arts, one task prepares the slides and art catalogs. Therefore every time you log into the library, according to Mattson, it was always collected art books of history. And to obtain materials for purposes of making art catalog, he was forced to go to a museum in Toronto, Montreal and Chicago.

In fact, he must give up his spring vacation was spent at the Louvre Museum located in the middle of the City of Paris. While in Paris this for the first time in his life Mattson met with a Muslim. He called this moment as 'the summer I met Muslims'.

''I always remembered going to this event,''he said. What he was looking for this, said Mattson, only in relation to all works of art depicted in visual form. Western civilization is known to have a tradition of describing something in a visual form, including the description of the existence of God.

''We have a lot to make the mistake of thinking that seeing means to recognize, and the more exposed one is, the more important person.''However, the end of the quest of the art has brought Mattson met two artists, both men and women, who does not make sensual sculptures and paintings of the Lord. ''They know God has a different way, appreciate the leader, and appreciate the work of a woman.''

The image of Islam which he got from both his new friends, bring Mattson on Islamic face recognition the better. He stated that Islamic civilization did not subscribe to anything in the system of representation in the form of visual recall and praise the Lord and appreciate a prophet.

God''is something hidden. Hidden in the reflection of human eyes. However, people who have the vision to recognize the Lord by watching, studying the influence of the strength of His creation.''In addition to representations of God, Islam also prohibits any depiction of the Prophet of God.

Muslims only write their names in the form of calligraphy. The words, writings, and words and noble character in life is the main medium for Muhammad in the spreading influence throughout his flock. From here then Mattson became interested to study the beliefs held by her friends that this Senegalese origin.

He also began digging about the divinity and personality of Muhammad through the Quran translation. After a lot of learning more about Islam from the Qur'an, Mattson finally realize and believe in God. ''Your choices reflect who you are. Although there are limitations, but always available opportunity to choose the best,''he said.

What makes it even more interested in Islam is that all the people of Muhammad are not just follow in terms of worship, but also in all aspects of life, ranging from personal hygiene to on how to behave towards children and neighbors. All actions, speech, and behavior of the Prophet is called the sunna.

And the Sunna of the Prophet Muhammad's influence has been reflected in the lives of older people, young, rich, poor, which makes it as a role model for all followers. ''The first time I noticed the physical effects of the Sunna of the Prophet Muhammad in the younger generation of Muslims is when one day I was sitting in the mosque, watching my son who was 9 years old to pray beside mengajinya teachers. Ubayda sitting beside the teacher from Saudi Arabia who diligently and gently teach him that made him very respected and respectful,''he said. ed: sya

Islam is Love Sharing

Introduction Ingrid Mattson of the Islamic growing when he visited a number of countries that the majority Muslim population.

Some of the events that he encountered in these countries are, recognized Mattson, more to strengthen faith in Islam. Over a year, on his way to the Muslim countries he had witnessed in common a desire to share and always give each other as well as similarities among the deep conviction.

Food''enough for two people to three people and food enough for three to four people,''he said as he quoted the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad.

One of them was when he visited Kosovo. During the attack Serbia to Kosovo, many Muslim Albanians who provide their homes for refugee lawyer. In fact, one person cooking every day for 20 people in a modest house.

Likewise, when she married in Pakistan. As a social worker at the refugee camp, Mattson and husband do not have enough money. On his return from the wedding to the refugee camp, the Afghan women asked him about the clothes, gold jewelry, wedding rings and gold necklace given by her husband as a dowry.

''I showed them a simple gold ring and I tell you about the wedding dress that I borrowed to get married. Their faces changed to show feelings of sadness and sympathy.

''A week after the incident, while he was sitting in front of the tent of a dusty refugee camp, the Afghan women are to appear again. They come to him with a pair of bright blue satin with gold ornaments, a red sleeveless dress with a colorful and looking blue scarfwarna matching with clothes, as a wedding present.

''All I saw was a wedding gift is priceless to me, not only their support, but the lessons sincerity and empathy they give, which is a very sweet fruit of a true belief ". He / sya

He found that previous religions had much distorted, especially those associated with the concept of divinity.

He gained a diploma in the field of Christian theology. However, Christian knowledge so deep, making this middle-aged women love Islam. Rushbrook who changed the name Waris Maqsood Ruqaiyyah after embracing Islam, is one of the authors of books of Islam's most productive. Dozens of books related to Islam have been written by women born London, England, this 1942 year. His books include best sellers and a reference and a reference in various countries.



Long before turning to Islam, Ruqaiyyah born and raised in a Protestant Christian environment. Original name is Rosalyn Rushbrook. She earned a diploma in Christian Theology from the University of Hull, England, in 1963, and a master's in education from the same place in 1964. For nearly 32 years, he managed the course of religious studies at various schools and colleges in the UK. He also had served as head of Religious Studies at William Gee High School, Hull, England.

Christian knowledge is so deep, making written several books about Christianity. But who would have thought if such an in-depth knowledge about the senses precisely Christian. He found the Christian doctrine which he believed had been much distorted, especially those associated with the concept of divinity.



With the knowledge he has, Ruqaiyyah move on its own initiative to seek the truth based on scientific studies, including studying the Bible. However, he eventually left the religion after struggling for years in search of her questions about the theological concept of the Trinity. He did not find anything. Finally in 1986, at the age of 44 years, Ruqaiyyah decided to embrace Islam.



Ruqaiyyah embraced Islam purely based on background knowledge and in-depth study of the teachings of the divine, both within Islam and Christianity. Like many other converts, he calls himself has 'returned' to be Muslim. Now, he's fighting for Islam through the writings and books.



In an interview with the media, he was asked about the Islamic concept of prophet Isa which in Christianity is Jesus. "Western countries, there are core ethical teachings of science on love and God's love and mutual help fellow human beings. That's all well taught by all prophets, including Prophet Muhammad SAW mad. We Muslims also believe in the Prophet Jesus as a prophet sent by God , "said Ruqaiyyah.



The decision to move Ruqaiyyah beliefs have consequences on the lives of his household. He decided to end her marriage with Bear English poet George Morris Kendrick, who has lived since 1964. From her marriage to George, they have two children, Daniel George born 1968 and Eva born Frances Elisabeth 1969. Later in the year 1990, she married a Pakistani man, Ali Waris Maqsood.



After preaching in writing to the Islamic pilgrimage, does not make Ruqaiyyah stop writing. On the contrary, he became more productive. More than 30 books about Islam he had written. Right now he has nine books are still in the process of publishing. He also wrote many articles in magazines and newspapers related to Islam and Muslims.

"We have condemned Islam as a religion problem. It is not fair. Therefore, I try to write to propagate the Islamic literature. Please be my, that through these writings, can help improve the atmosphere to less pro-Islamic," he said.



Books on Islam written quite diverse. Its not only the books category of 'heavy', such as books on Islamic history and issues surrounding Muslim women, but also books of guidance counseling for Muslim teenagers. There are also some pocket books, including A Guide for Visitors to Mosques, a dance Gui Marriage Booklet, Muslim Women's Helpline.



I am very interested to cultivate Islamic history, especially about the lives of women around the Prophet Muhammad. I mengcounter often anti-Islamic campaign to discredit the Muslim woman.



By the Muslim community in England, he was also asked to compile a textbook on Islam. Text books of this work is widely used in England for nearly 20 years. The books were used by the personal, convert, and students of public schools and madrassas in the UK and other countries.



He also helped develop the syllabus for students of religious schools, in cooperation with the local education office. Silabusnya classified as unique, created specifically for independent learners. So, without a teacher or a permanent facility can walk. Silabusnya designed for primary school students to college ting gi. Interestingly again, the book can be used for formal education, non-formal, for example at home, even in prison. Ruqaiyyah now also active as a tutor distance (distance learning) for the Association of Muslim Researchers (AMR) is another activity of his.



Teaching activities are also solid. Many countries have disambanginya, including the U.S., Canadian, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Ireland, and Singapore. Ruqaiyyah also taught at several universities in the UK, such as Oxford, Cambridge, Glasgow and Manchester. Also, teaches at the School of Oriental and Arabic Studies in London.



Ruqaiyyah accept Muhammad Iqbal Award in 2001 for creativity and service, in developing a methodology of Islamic teaching. He was the first British Muslim who had received such a prestigious gift. Not only that, in March 2004 Ruqaiyyah selected as one of the 100 women achievers in the world. In the election arena Daily Mails Real Women of Achievement, Waris Maqsood Ruqaiyyah including one of seven women achievers in the religious category. he / taq / various sources



Muslim Name: Ruqaiyyah Waris Maqsood

Real name: Rosalyn Rushbrook

Born: 1942

Converted to Islam: 1986

First Husband: George Morris Kendrick (Divorce)

Child: Daniel George and Frances Eva Elisabeth

Second Husband: Ali Waris Maqsood

Occupation: Writer

AWARDS:

1. News Awards for Excellence (2001)

2. Muhammad Iqbal Award (2004)

3. One of the seven winners of the Daily Mail's Real Women of Achievement.

4. One of four recipients Global Peace and Unity Lifetime Achievement Award (2008).

Guidance for the German Diplomat

Source :
http://www.republika.co.id/node/78582

Islam is the religion of a rational and universal. He is acceptable and in accordance with common sense. Islam is a religion of mercy for all creatures. Because, although derived in the Arabian Peninsula, Islam is not just for the Arabs, but also can be accepted by people who are not Arabs (ajam).

In fact, the sciences and the teaching contained in the Koran, according to the worldview of humankind. Because of that, no wonder, if the religion brought by Muhammad was easily accepted by people who always use common mind. That's what I experienced Dr. Murad Wilfried Hofmann, a former German diplomat. He received his Islamic religion, while at the height of his career.

Dr Hofmann, accepting Islam on September 25, 1980. He said the shahada at the Islamic Center of Colonia, led by Imam Ahmad Mohammad Rasoul. He was born in a German Catholic family on July 3, 1931. He is a graduate of Union College in New York and then complete the name with a Doctorate in the field of legal science from the University of Munich, Germany in 1957.

In addition, Hofmann had been a research assistant on the Reform of Federal Civil Procedure. And in 1960, he received his LLM from Harvard Law School. Then, in the year 1983-1987, he was appointed director in Brussels of NATO information. Furthermore, he was assigned as a diplomat (ambassador) of Germany to Algeria in 1987 and ambassador in Morocco in 1990-1994. In 1982 he berumrah, and 10 years (1992) and then perform the pilgrimage.

However, just before in Algeria and Morocco is, Hofmann embraced Islam. And she was only published after his Islamic wrote a book entitled Der Islam als Alternative (Islam as an alternative) in 1992. After the publication of this book, it stirred up Germany.

In the book, he does not just explain that Islam is the best alternative to Western civilization that has lost kropos and justifikasinya, but Hofmann said explicitly, that Islam is a religion alternative to Western society. Islam does not offer itself as another alternative for the post-industrial Western societies. Because it is only Islam is the only alternative was, he wrote.

Therefore, not surprising when the book was published not only the German people have been shocking. At first the I channel television interview with Murad Hofmann. And in the interview, Hofmann told him about his book when he was about to be published interview broadcast itu.Saat, immediately stirred up all the mass media and society of Germany. And once they revile and sued Hofmann, until they read the book. This is not only perpetrated by the media a little cheap, but also by the large mass media like Der Spigel.

In fact, on another occasion, the German television shortly Murad Hofmann shooting while he was conducting prayers at the prayer rug, in the office of the German Ambassador in Morocco, as commented upon by the reporter: Is logical that Germany turned into the Islamic State which is subject to the law of God?

Hofmann smiled at the comments I've managed reporter.Jika us something, then something is a painful reality. That is, Hofmann understood that the Islamic will make people angry German. But he knew, everything he had to face any risk. And for him Islam is a religion of a rational and forward.

As a diplomat, known for Hofmann thought was brilliant. Hence, he added his first name to Murad, which means that search. Weist Leopold, an Austrian Muslims who later renamed Muhammad Asad, said, in the broadest sense, Murad is the goal, which is the highest goal Wilfried Hofmann.

Hofmann Islamic sense of concern based on the western world is starting to lose morale. Religion dianutnya once felt unable to treat the sense of disappointment and concern for the condition.
Moreover, when he served as attaché at the German embassy in Algeria, he witnessed his Algerian Muslims who was patient, strong and brave to face various kinds of tests and trials of other people. On that basis, and the attitude of the Europeans who began to lose his identity and moral, Hofmann decided to embrace Islam.

He felt burdened by the human mind to accept the original sin (derivation / inheritance) and the existence of God but Allah. Why does God have to have a child and then tortured and killed on the cross to save himself. This shows that God does not have the power, he said.

In fact, when times in the search for God, Hofmann never thought about the existence of God. He then did an analysis of the works of philosophers like Wittgenstein, Pascal, Swinburn, and Kant, until finally he was sure to find that God exists.

He then asked; How does God communicate with man and led him? Here he found the revelation of God speaketh. And when comparing Judaism, Christianity and Islam, given the revelation that his people, Hofmann found in Islam, which expressly denies the existence of original sin.

When people pray, they should not pray or ask the other gods besides Allah, the Creator. A Muslim living in a world without priests and without the religious hierarchy; when praying, he did not pray through Jesus, Mary, or saints, but directly to God, he said.

Hofmann see that Islam is a religion of pure and clean from kesyirikan or the fellowship of God with His creatures. God does not have children and not begotten, he said. In his book Alternative Als Der Islam, Annie Marie Schimmel gave an introduction by quoting the words of Islam means submission Goethe.Jika with sincerity, then on the basis of Islam is we should live and die.

In his book Islamic Trend 2000, Hofmann said, the potential future of the Islamic civilization. He explains, there are three Muslim attitudes toward their future. Namely, the pessimists (who saw the course of history always down), the stagnant (which saw a wave of Islamic history as the up and down), and three groups of optimists (people who see the future moving forward). Therefore, he invited the Muslims to always be optimistic and look on a better tomorrow.

Hofmann also actively involved in many Islamic organizations, such as the OIC. He is always deliver brilliant pemikiranpemikiran to progress Islam. In mid-September 2009 and then, he was named as a Muslim Personality of the Year (Muslim Personality of the Year), organized by the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHQA). Similar award ever given to Dr Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi.

Rational Religion of Islam

There are several reasons that make Murad Wilfried Hofmann finally out of the Catholic and Muslim vote. And the reason it was welded an impression on his mind.

In 1961, when he served as an attaché at the German Embassy in Algiers, he found himself in the midst of a bloody guerrilla war between the French and the Algerian National Front has been fighting for the independence of Algeria, for eight years. There he witnessed atrocities and massacres of Algerian population endured. Every day, many residents of Algiers killed.

I witnessed the patience and resilience of the people of Algeria in the face of extreme suffering, they are very disciplined and to fast during Ramadan, their confidence is very high with a victory that will be achieved. I highly applaud and proud of their attitude, he said. Another reason that made him choose Islam, Hofmann was one who loved art and beauty.

Islamic art has a variety of very interesting and beautiful, including the art of architecture. Almost every room is manifested in the beauty of Islamic art is universal. Ranging from calligraphy, carpet patterns, the buildings and architecture the mosque, showing the strength of Islamic art, he explained. From some of the reasons above, the issue really made to convert to Islam, because only this religion which does not teach the doctrine of original sin.

The statement contained in the Qur'an is very clear, rational and tegas.Tak no doubt for me the truth of Islam and the mission of the Prophet Muhammad SA, he said. sya / various sources
Biodata
Name: Wilfried Hofmann
Muslim Name: Murad Wilfried Hofmann
Born: Germany, 6 September 1931
Converted to Islam: 25 September 1980

Occupation:
* Director of NATO Information in Brussels Belgium
(1983-1987)
* German Ambassador to Algeria (1987 --
1990)
* German Ambassador to Morocco (1990 --
1994).
* Author