Writing on Ashura Day : Facing Prejudice
I was pretty annoyed with my interviewee’s question : “Are you Sunni or Shia?” I said I am Sunni with a plain intonation in hope he won’t ask further. When the interview has done, I am keep asking about that question. Are we really need to know other’s identity before we give our answer? Does it really matter? Will does different identity, let’s say I am an atheist, lead you to give different answer? His name is Suaedi, a vice leader of DKM ( Dewan Keluarga Masjid , Mosque Family Council) in Al Amanah mosque, Kawaluyaan, Bandung. I met him in purpose to complete my writing about Ashura Day about three weeks before. Weeks ago, Shia’s Ashura celebration has been moved to Kiaracondong due to this DKM’s request to the police. Suaedi came to the mosque just before a weekly pengajian (preach) began, then I told him my purpose. He lead me to the DKM office, where he asked about my faith. Besides his question I’ve mentioned above, the other thing of importance for me is h...