Growth of intellectualism among Muslims in the region should start from breaking free of the 'tok guru' culture, says Singaporean academic Prof Khairudin Aljunied.
Khairudin, an associate professor at National University of Singapore's Department of Malay Studies, explained that the problem does not lie with the 'tok guru' or teacher but rather the students themselves.
"What is the tok guru culture? The problem is not with the tok guru. Tok guru is very important in society and (in history) have given birth to many powerful works.
"The problem is with the student who said the tok guru cannot be wrong and the tok guru is always right all the time, every time," said Khairudin, a guest speaker at a talk on advancements of knowledge culture in Islam hosted by the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation.
He said the history of Islamic civilisation has shown how knowledge growth was often the result of students who disagreed and questioned their teachers.
Citing the works of renowned Muslim scholars, Khairudin said Muslims in the past had refrained from asking questions related to the area of study which was then taken up by the West to produce more breakthroughs in the field.
"We should not have this tok guru culture. We need to question everything.
"True intellectualism is about breakthroughs and innovations in all fields," he stressed.
Khairudin further said Muslim intellectuals should push themselves to the limit, and to create awareness about universal values.
"There is no such thing as purely Malay-Islamic values," he added.
PKR president Anwar Ibrahim delivered the opening address at the day's discussion which also featured ISTAC's Professor Osman Bakar, Indonesian academic Professor Yudi Latif, and PKR Senator Yusmadi Yusoff. - Mkini
I fully agree with Prof Khairudin, but it's a tough sell to our traditional Malay community. This is the real challenge to our thinkers, educators, and especially our leaders!
ReplyDelete