JAKARTA — At the International Da’wah Outlook 2022 event at the Grand Whiz Points Simatupang, Jakarta, on Thursday (29/12/2022), the Da’wah Service Division of Dompet Dhuafa presented several speakers to dialogue at the International Da’wah Outlook Interactive Dialogue session. This event was attended by 50 Dai Ambassadors of Dompet Dhuafa, who had been assigned to 16 countries.
The second interactive dialogue session was guided by Fatchuri Rosyidin as Director of Inspiration Across the Times (IMZ) with speakers namely Suparto, M.Ed., PhD as Dean of the Faculty of Da’wah and Communication Sciences UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Dr KH. Cholil Nafis, Lc., MA, as Chairman of MUI for Da’wah and Ukhuwah, and Achmad Syalaby Ichsan as Editor of Republika.
On his occasion, Suparto said the existence of dai ambassadors such as Dompet Dhuafa is crucial for people in other countries. There, the da’wah or dai activists have 3 (three) functions, namely as extension workers, religious speakers, and managers of taklim assemblies. These three areas become proselytizing activities that must go on.
He then recounted various impressions of his experiences in Australia as a student. While there, he also observed that Islamic proselytizing had not been seriously touched. Because the speakers there are impromptu speakers from among students, including the Indonesian diaspora. According to him, many students there, especially from PTKIN, came but were reluctant to engage in proselytizing activities.
So, now the Faculty of Da’wah and Communication Sciences UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta has a joint program with the United Nations to strengthen Islamic proselytizing. This program lasts for 2 (two) months.
“I think Dompet Dhuafa can synergize in this case with the Faculty of Da’wah and Communication Sciences UIN Jakarta to strengthen the material. The Faculty of Da’wah is very welcome to build synergies related to international da’wah,” he said.
Next, KH. Cholil Nafis said that a dai does not have to look Ustaz. They can look slang according to the target of their worshippers. It is precisely this that proselytizing material will be more readily accepted and attached to the worshippers.
He also appealed to the dais to have their initiatives before the call. However, MUI will try to make regulations so that dais has certification as a standard dais so that it will be easier to move to carry out proselytizing activities.
“For friends who are active in proselytizing activities, don’t wait to be called. But take the initiative to create a religious atmosphere. It can start with a small taklim assembly or learning the Qur’an,” he said.
According to him, there are at least 3 (three) points concerning the standardisation of Ustaz/dai. Among them, it must be able to explain, of course, Islam, understand nationality, and the third is to be wasathiyah and avoid controversy.
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From a media perspective, Achmad Syalaby Ichsan explained, content about Islam these days tends to be enjoyed by many netizens. So Republika also took the next step by shutting down newspapers and migrating to digital to reach a broader segment of digital society.
“One of the social bases in this 4.0 and 5.0 era is the digital footprint. So, the proselytizing messages of dai friends can reach more worshippers. Not only to the Indonesian people but also to reach brothers and sisters who are abroad,” he said.
Of course, there are many opportunities for collaboration related to international proselytising, both in the realm of policy by the government, the involvement of social and philanthropic elements, and digital media. (Dompet Dhuafa / Muthohar)