Aya seratan ngeunaan pujian ka Sheikh Ahmad Deedat ti Afrika Selatan (pupus 2005) anu parantos dialog sareng debat televisi, debat forun di Amerika , Eropa antar agama (utamina sareng Kristen) secara cerdas, ilmiah sareng konseptual dan berhasil memepertahankan Al Quran untuk tidak dicemoohkan secara Konseptual
Champion of interfaith dialogue BY BASHIR GOTH 18 August 2005 I FIRST saw Shaikh Ahmed Deedat, who died at his home in Durban, South Africa, on August 8, when I attended a lecture he delivered at Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation in 1986. It was one of the first of what would later make him a fabled globe-trotting promoter of inter-faith dialogue, a brilliant debater and the most persuasive preacher that the Islamic world has produced in modern times. A man blessed with an affable personality, a humble disposition, an imposing figure and a great sense of humour, Deedat had a firm belief in the magic of the good word, not just because he was aware of his skill in debating but because he was a man who understood that Islam had won hearts over the centuries through the peaceful strength of its spoken word and not through the hoofs of its horses. Hence he never failed to fine-tune the emotions of his audience by starting his debates with his conviction of the common bond between all great religions as prescribed in the Quran: "Say: "O People of the Book! Come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but God; That we associate no partners with Him; That we erect not from among ourselves, lords and patrons other than God..." (3:64). As an erudite scholar who made himself an authority of the Bible in all its versions by extensive reading and researching, Deedat used debates not only as forums to enlighten and convince but also as a means to promote dialogue and understanding between the two great religions, Islam and Christianity. He was prompt in announcing his intention from the start of every debate that he was there to advance and share his side of the truth with the audience on the foundations laid down by the Quran: "Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from error." [2:256]. Although using debate and reasoning as a way to reach out to people of other faiths is an inherent formula in Islam, it was Deedat who salvaged it from oblivion and brought it to the age of modern media. Like a suave emissary or skillful salesman, he paved his way to the hearts of his Christian and Muslim audience alike by presenting the best Quranic arguments to appeal to all mankind beginning with his traditional curtain raiser: "Invite all to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious. For thy Lord knoweth best who have strayed from His path, and who receive guidance." (16:125) Unshackled by the traditional and elitist language of the Islamic academia, Deedat worked his way through the simple and peaceful approach of the medieval Muslim traders who spread Islam through their character and trading acumen to most of South East Asia, Africa and elsewhere. It was the cultured and modest character of his Gujarati upbringing that gave him his simplicity that made him enter people's hearts in the same way his Gujarati predecessor Mahatma Gandhi did. Coming to fame at a time when the radical brand of Islam was at its peak and was gaining legitimacy and power due to Muslim and Western rage against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Deedat tried to check the growing radicalisation of the Muslim youth by diverting their attention to the clash of ideas rather than clash of swords. His famous debates with the Palestinian-born Christian American scholar Dr. Anis Shorrosh, a member of Oxford Society of Scholars, in 1985 and 1988 attracted 5000 and 11,000 attendance respectively, while his debate with the eminent evangelist Rev. Jimmy Swaggart in 1986 at Louisiana State University caught the attention of Muslims and Christians alike and manifested Deedat's Bible scholarship and his skill as master debater. His sharp humour in ditching his rivals, his soft spoken and convincing voice, his ever-present and radiant smile, his white trimmed beard, his white and simple skull cap, his simple dress and his amusing facial and hand gestures, all enabled him to exude such an aura of friendship that even his fiercest adversaries couldn't help but respect him. Deedat had no fear to quote in excellent eloquence and with a touch of humour from sources regarded by many of today's firebrand Muslim clerics as taboos such as Hollywood's James Bond films to prove his point. He had an extraordinary gift in disarming his rivals through natural humour and unforgiving memory. Deedat was not shy to be blunt but polite at times to expose the follies of his adversaries. It was at one of these moments when he chastised Dr Shorrosh to the point of embarrassment. Listening to him quoting verses from the Quran with unwarranted grammatical and pronunciation mistakes, Deedat didn't hesitate to point out Shorrosh's inability to correctly pronounce his own Arabic language. Deedat's winning ways and persuasive approach were in striking contrast with the approach and behaviour of today's jihadists whose unkempt looks, outlandish shouting matches, extremist posturing and hate-filled language. It is not important whether one agreed with Deedat or not, whether one embraced his beliefs. What one couldn't miss in him was his unparallelled conviction and his genuine respect for his opponents. The Islamic world today is in dire need of men like Deedat who could debate and engage with the people of other faiths with civility, mutual respect and profound understanding of their scriptures and cultures. The Islamic world needs scholars whose character, deeds, knowledge and humane nature and not their booby-trapped bodies could reach overseas shores. Islam today definitely needs more Deedats with a book in their hand and a good word in their mouth than the Bin Ladens, who sow hatred wherever they step in. One may wonder whether Deedat intended to forestall the current trend where extremist Muslims wrongly justify their actions as the jihad sanctioned by Islam. With his departure, the humble Gujarati South African grocery owner turned scholar has left a void that's difficult to fill in. Deedat's absence will be sorely missed in today's polarised world. *Bashir Goth is an African journalist based in Abu Dhabi and can be reached at [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------
