Jakarta, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah – Arabic Language and Literature Study Program, Faculty of Adab and Humanities, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, held a national seminar entitled "The Influence of Arabic Literature on the World of Literature in the Archipelago" on Wednesday, November 6 2024. The event took place in the 5th Floor Theater Room, Prof. Building. Dr. Abdul Gani's bustami was attended by academics, students and literary activists.

The seminar opened with remarks from the Dean of the Faculty of Adab and Humanities, Dr. Ade Abdul Hak, M. Hum. In his speech, Dr. Ade expressed his appreciation for holding this seminar as an important step in exploring the influence of Arabic literature on the development of Indonesian literature. According to him, this study is relevant in understanding cross-cultural contributions that enrich Indonesian literature.

Keynote Speakers and Seminar Material

Three main sources who are experts in the fields of literature and culture share their views on the influence of Arabic literature in the archipelago:

1. Dr. H. M. Imam Sofwan Yahya, Lc., M.Hum - Head of Al-Tsaqofah Islamic Boarding School. Dr. Imam examines the influence of Arabic and Western literature on Indonesian literary works, such as Buya Hamka's, Tenggelamnya Kapal Van Der Wijk, which is often compared to Magdalena's novels. According to him, cross-cultural literary works are not solely plagiarized, but rather a form of appreciation that allows adaptation through the "ATM" method (Amati, Tiru, Modification). He asserts that adaptation is a creative process that produces new work with its own characteristics.
2. Titi Farhanah, M.Ag, Ph.D - Lecturer in Arabic Language and Literature. Dr. Titi explained the influence of Arabic in ancient Indonesian texts, especially in teaching and spreading Islamic teachings. Arabic manuscripts play an important role in enriching Indonesian literary culture, especially in terms of religiosity and ethics.
3. Dr. Cahya Buana, MA - Lecturer and expert in Arabic literature. Dr. Cahya discusses Sufi poetry and prose in the archipelago which is influenced by the work of Arab Sufism, with the character Hamzah Fansuri as an example. He explained how Sufi poetry became a medium for spreading the teachings of the tarekat in Indonesia, introducing the concept of wahdatul wujud and enriching local spirituality.

Interactive Discussion: Literary Works and Al-Qur’an

In the question and answer session, participants highlighted the comparison between literary works and the Al-Qur'an, questioning whether the beauty of the language of the Al-Qur'an can make it considered a literary work. Dr. Imam replied that although the Qur'an has a high aesthetic of language, it is not an ordinary literary Al-Qur’an k but the word of Allah with unique spiritual and scientific value that transcends literature. The Al-Qur'an has a function as a guide to life, not just an artistic expression. Dr. Imam invites participants to understand the beauty of the language of the Al-Qur’an as a sign of God's greatness.

The sources, including Dr. Titi and Dr. Cahya, reminded the importance of appreciating Arabic literature without equating it with the Al-Qur’an, because Arabic literature enriches the cultural treasures of the archipelago through moral and spiritual values that are different from the sacred nature of the Al-Qur’an.

This seminar succeeded in attracting the attention of academics and literary activists, reflecting the broad influence of Arabic literature in Indonesian literature. The event closed with the conclusion that Arabic literature carries deep cultural values that should be studied and appreciated in a historical context and its influence on local culture in the archipelago.

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