Indonesia Malaysia Youth Exchange Program (IMYEP) 2011

Bulan Juni s.d. Juli tahun ini saya mendapat kesempatan untuk mengikuti Program Pertukaran Pemuda Antar Negara yang diselenggararakan oleh Kementerian Pemuda dan Olahraga. Berikut ini adalah artikel yang saya tulis menceritakan pengalaman saya mengkuti Indonesia-Malaysia Youth Exchange Program (IMYEP) 2011.

Bisa disimak dan dibaca di sini.

The Flash of 'Mocha Coffee-Milk' Tale

credit picture here

Before Getting Involved, Know Yourself First and then, Break Your Limits!

I committed to jump in ‘Candradimuka crater’ once again, in a different place with a different motivation and circumstances. But it really recalled my old memory, three years ago when I heated up on this kind of battlefield. The differences, I was almost three years older now and there were some technical yet unessential distinctions to note. Instead of all I experienced and learned, I felt overwhelm, blank and rich at the same time. Blank and weightless were just like ‘de ja vu’, an exact feeling as I finished the last personal-interview section three years ago. Rich was due to all insights, mind-recharging, inspirations, and friendship I got during the two days quarantine. But then, these two feelings exhausted me for a while until I consciously opened my eyes on the next day. Then, I felt grateful and decided to give a huge smile because the sun still intently warmed my skin and my heart. I still smiled because I had nothing to hide; nothing to complain, and wouldn’t grumble on the back. And they were wrong if think so.

I heard quite often a wise word, ‘experience is the best teacher’. On this case, not for me, I really had no idea what ‘the teacher’ already taught me. Yeah, that’s a fool of me. The worst part is I couldn’t mention at least one of benefits I gained from my previous experience. In fact, it’s plenty after I reflected again lately. And I think it’s really pathetic that I couldn’t come up with such a sincere yet solemn answer. I didn’t know why, but I knew the problem is on me, and attached on my limits need to be founded, my self-identity, and my persona. After all, I still question myself, “DO I NEED TO CHANGE? In what extent?” And I actually got some answers. Therefore, the decision needs to be made. Just like what Mba’ Atri said to me “it’s all up to you whether you want to apply the other colors or not, whether you want to use what you have already absorbed or not,”

Processing the Metamorphose

I started the struggle with a high hope to win the battle and strengthen my wings. I began a day before D-day with such a disappointed and bad feeling. First, it’s out of our control when the weather turned dark and ‘angry’. Second, we already did our best and anticipated the lateness by saving a couple hours on ‘our pocket’, but then man only made a plan, and the rest depended on X factors, including others and stuffs. Finally, God is the only One who disposed. Third, I couldn’t accept any unrealistic reasons and consequences to teach others about the meaning of punctuality. Then, I concluded that it would be such kind of militaristic way to discipline people. What I agreed then is that we couldn’t blame and scapegoat-ing others from our own-mistake. So, a mature people would be fully responsible of what they have done. And at the end, I appreciated the win-win solution offered by the committee.

At first, I felt calm and excited to experience what is like to be on the quarantine. There were three things that made me glad and never regret: First, I invented new friendship and new family in my home-province. It’s always delightful to made new friends who can enrich our horizon and life itself. I felt very affluent when looked upon them, both the participants and the committee. It’s like seeing mirror and rainbow. I liked mirror-ing myself when I saw the reflections of me from their role and character. And, I was surprised yet proud when they showed me the beauty of ‘rainbow’. And once again, it enriched me and effortlessly opened my eyes to the power of process itself.

Second, it’s a worth-chance to know my beloved province, East Java, better. Since I am almost four years studying in Yogyakarya, below my self-consciousness, I have often admitted that my knowledge and understanding about Jogja is much better than my own-province, including the people and the place. But, don’t ever doubt on my pride and my sense of belonging to East-Java. No need to question on those. East Java is very unique and distinctive. Despite the geographical and cultural mixture, it ranges widely from west to east, from north coastal to south coastal, from the land to the sea, and others. The dialect and daily conversation is also different from one region to another.

My small-observation met the answer when I saw, listened, and interacted with the 24 youth potential. I enjoyed a lot when we talked and joke around with Boso Jowo. In my daily basis, either in Blitar or Jogja, I used to speak kromo with my parents, and also elder people. But in my peer environment, I accustomed to speaking Bahasa Indonesia to make other friends who mostly came from another background and culture understands the idea of or conversation. In Surabaya on the last three days, I really enjoyed the privilege of speaking with my mother-tongue language, Boso Jowo. And it’s interesting to identify the use of different particles in conversation, such as …ta? Rek,

After all, some committee judged me that I am more Jogjanese than East Javanese or Blitarnese? What a surprised! I myself hadn’t asked the reasons yet. I assumed one of their pre-assumptions was on the matter of straightforwardness, and also in line with my nature. But it happened quite a lot thou when many friends often thought that I am originally from Jogja or Solo or Central Java. And only a few believed that I am from East Java. Is this a part of people justification and stereotype towards others? So, please mind your thought!

Before I started mumbling around, I would conclude the last thing that made me glad during the process. It is the breeze of competition. Lately, I have been hectic inside my own-shell which is my environment and my activities, such as my undergraduate –thesis and heap of works in the office. These two things grabbed most my attention and time until I forgot to update the news and upgrade myself. It’s my comfort zone that satisfies my recent-priority and future target. So, what wrong? I guess, the reason is when we feel enough and satisfied, we easily forget that we need to perpetually improve ourselves, and look beyond our shell to find out what’s more than ‘meet on the eyes.’

The competition made me aware that my I had to keep progressing and processing my self. It’s not only about my accomplishment and satisfaction I reached, but what we have given and what we have contributed, for the sake of betterment not only for me, but also my surrounding. Creating a small step to generate the massive awareness is also essential to advance the nation.

‘Diaspora is only an ice-berg’

From the moment on, I won’t forget the relation between DIASPORA and DISPORA. It made me realize that I really need a brain supplement and an outrageous therapy. That’s really true^^. And too bad, I just realized it. On my turn of sudden speech, I had twice chances to pick the topic. My first pick is Joko Tingkir. Oh Gosh, I was not really sure what the legend is about. My brain kept telling me about Rara Anteng and Joko Seger which I knew was the absolute wrong. So, with Bismillah I picked another one. And tarrraaa, I got DIASPORA. Ohhhh damn! It sounded very familiar, but I totally blank, forgot, and ‘messed up’ as if my brain cells ruined my memory and logical thinking. So the result, I stiffed powerlessly and spoke in a silent voice. At that time, I felt like flying after consuming drugs until I finished answering series questions related to the topic.

I disappointed myself, because two things. First I lost my voice on the sudden speech matters. I am late to realize that it's not only about the topic but how we should formulate a speech in certain time with our creativity, spontaneous yet fast-thinking and just be confident to keep talking. Second, I embarrassed many labels tagged in me, especially the department and university I belong to. I should have become an expert of this topic but the fact is the contrary. So, the outrageous therapy needs to be made at the earliest convenience. The DIASPORA precedent is only an ice-berg phenomenon about finding my limitations. And I couldn't agree more with Mas Yesaya who said that we should have in-depth understanding towards the knowledge or issues, as a whole, not only from its skin.

The continuous lesson learned filled in each session. For me, it's not only about liberating myself from my comfort zone, but also about honestly finding and admitting my limits. Hence, I should learn as follows: to think and learn fast, focus on what in front of us, rehearse to memorizing the others name properly, learn history and culture of Indonesia and East Java, and be brave and confident of our capacity. Because after we have discovered the limits, we would be able to take a small step to cross our boundaries. It's indeed not comfortable at first. But then, we would realize how an exceptional experience we passed through.

New Family Made

These two days in quarantine meant a lot to me. The time went slowly but turned out productively and unforgettably. We shared many moments together, from ‘yell-yell’, talent show, city exploration, group dynamic, and many other moments to remember. From the cheerful encouragement until the heart-sport of high tense session, that bonded us as one family, in the name of hope and dream. I was so proud and glad to be one of them. They are mostly younger than me, but who knows that they are more passionate, enthusiastic, braver, and have potential inner-self and talent that will grow and glow brightly in the future.

After all, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude and big 'standing-applause' to the whole committee who succeed to spread a positive spirit to us. Each of them has inspired me in various possible ways that at the end, will lead me to follow my dreams. And for all the readers, please keep in mind that before getting involved, know yourself first, then, break your limits to discover a brand-new you who are awesome and unbeatable!

Keep positive and keep smiling :)

Best regards,

Kiki Fauzia

His Mysterious Gift

gambar dari sini

Suatu waktu saya merasa gelisah. Bukan karena hati saya tidak tenang, tapi saya merasa kurang 'sreg' harus mengeluarkan tabungan demi memenuhi hasrat bersenang-senang. Rasanya sangat disayangkan uang tabungan hanya digunakan untuk perkara tersier. Padahal tabungan akan jauh lebih bermanfaat jika digunakan untuk perkara yang lebih prioritas dan jangka panjang. Namun harus bagaimana lagi, saya sudah merencanakan dan 'menggodok' rencana perjalanan tersebut lumayan lama. Jadi, apapun konsekuensinya, termasuk masalah uang, harus saya tanggung.

Itulah latar belakang kejadian sebelum keajaiban dari Allah itu benar-benar nyata.

Dua hari sebelum hari keberangkatan saya. Saya dimintai tolong teman, sebut saja D, untuk menggantikan tugas notulis teman yang tiba-tiba tidak bisa hadir. Saya menyanggupi karena toh apa salahnya membantu teman seperjuangan. Apalagi selama ini dia telah banyak membantu, selain karena kita juga terikat dalam satu institusi yang sama. Jadi kesuksesan acara ini akan menjadi cerita bahagia bagi semua pihak yang terlibat. Sebenarnya alasan lain kenapa saya membantu adalah saya merasa tidak 'enak' karena akan izin dari tanggung jawab rutin saya selama seminggu. Jadi, saya harus memaksimalkan apa yang bisa saya kerjakakan selagi masih ada di Yogyakarta.

Hari itu, saya sudah standby di venue beberapa menit sebelum acara dimulai. Saya tiba di hotel dan ter-'wow'-kan dengan acara bertajuk 'internasional' dengan atmosfer yang multikultur. Saya memenuhi tugas menjadi notulis selama satu sesi presentasi. Namun karena notulis yang lain berhalangan maka saya melanjutkan menjadi notulis selama dua sesi berikutnya, sekalian meringankan beban teman saya yang tidak punya partner notulis.

Kejutan itu datang pada akhir sesi ketika si ketua acara tiba-tiba menghampiri, menanyakan nama lengkap saya dan menginstruksikan menulisnya di sebuah kertas. Beliau sambil berpesan untuk bertemu di lobi setelah acara. Memenuhi permintaannya, saya didampingi teman saya-yang mengoordinir acara sejak awal, bersiap di lobi. Kemudian datanglah dua panitia dari salah satu Kementerian ini. Ternyata, hanya saya yang disodori kuitansi dan disuruh menandatanginya. Sedangkan, teman saya belum mendapat karena dia masih akan bergabung dalam acara sampai tiga hari ke depan.

Ketika menandatangani kuitansi tersebut, saya senang dan kaget secara bersamaan. Rasanya saya tidak percaya mendapat bonus sebesar tiga kali gaji di kantor hanya dengan duduk dan menjadi notulis selama satu hari. Saya pun jujur kepada teman saya dan menanyakan apakah tidak salah besaran nominal yang saya terima. Setelah ditanyakan berkali-kali kepada panitia, ternyata memang sebesar itulah hak saya. Saya lega sekaligus 'tidak enak' hati kepada teman saya yang belum mendapatkan hak-nya tersebut.

Satu hal yang saya lakukan setelah itu. Saya bersyujud syukur dan berterimakasih kepada Allah. Subhanallah, cara Allah untuk memberi 'uang saku' sungguh tak pernah saya duga. Pelajaran yang saya dapatkan pada hari itu : Sesungguhnya Allah Mahakaya, dan Maha Pemurah. Jadi, jangan pernah ragu akan kebesaran-Nya itu. He works with His mysterious way. Dan saya sangat yakin bahwa Allah akan memberi rezeki dan jalan keluar dari arah yang tidak disangka-sangkakan bagi mereka yang beriman dan meyakininya.

Alhamdulillah. Terimakasih ya Allah.

Do.Ci.Reng with Peace Generation

"The family endures because it offers the truth of mortality and immortality within the same group... , to make us feel at the same time unique and yet joined to all humanity, accepted as is and yet challenged to grow, loved unconditionally and yet propelled by greater expectation.."

- Letty Cottin Pogrebin

What I call family is ones who can understand our ups and downs life-cycle. They will welcome and hug us warmly every time we need them back . I once felt down and bored with my routines and work. I really needed a recharge and refreshment at the same time. I felt grateful that I still have many families to cheer and raise my decreased spirit lately.I am thankful for Peace Gen family for bringing a tremendous spirit that gradually ease my uneasy feeling.

Story began when my friend asked me to join with one of Peace Gen's program in Muntilan dedicated for children who affected Merapi eruption. At first I felt bad and awkward to suddenly participate at their program. I had disappeared for quite long time since I couldn't manage my time between study and working. But I remembered one of my colleague who;s also used to be a PIC on Peace Gen said to me that this community will always be there for us, especially when we feel in the need of family foremost.. So, here it is, I came back again with a hope that I could find such a joyful yet inspiring engagement that could recharge my mind and soul. And guess what I got, not only amazing experiences, but a bunch of supportive friends who share a genuine smile and hope. I also felt empowered since I spent my weekend with positive activities dedicating for others.

Do.Ci.Reng = Dolanan Ceria Bareng
Literally means "playing fun together". This program was conducted by Peace Generation, and fully supported by AFSC (American Friend Service Community). Aftermath of Merapi eruption, Peace Gen created various programs to help the victim. One of them is Docireng that dedicated to children who lived in the area of refugee camp. We came every weekend, Saturday and Sunday to stay and play with the kids. We played and had fun with them in order to heal their bad experience and trauma due to Merapi eruption. The program consisted of various activities such as learning, singing, dancing, and many more activities involving the dynamics of the kids. Last week, they made a puppet from recycled newspaper and lidi, also learned how to plant vegetables from chili and tomato seeds. Meanwhile, this weekend, they learned to write a story, danced, and act in a play.

Playing with kids is not only FUN and recharging, but a great lesson learned for me.
"happiness only real when shared"

About a hundred and fifty kids joined our 'Do.Ci.Reng' program. They came mostly from the neighborhood, around SD Gulon, Muntilan.

We were happy to show our puppet creation. We also enjoyed to play fool and act like a kid, again.


We made a 'Peace Gen train', stood in line before getting a consumption.

The executor of the program never forget to pose in a group photo.


A real happiness shared with the kids. Dwina and I tutored them to make a simple puppet. They name their group as "Kupu Elang (Butterfly-Eagle) group.

Assisted this beautiful kid how to draw 'a star'.

Anticipated the cute boy to bother the girl. Afterward, he was just too adorable.

One of the kid's drawing. I liked the title of the "Opinion" section.

CNKK : "Ambassador of the Heart"

Emha Ainun Nadjib, atau akrab disapa Cak Nun. Pertama kali familiar dengan nama itu ketika SD. Saya kecil pun sudah menghatamkan kompilasi syair Cak Nun dalam "Lautan Jilbab". Dan ternyata saya menemukan wajah beliau dalam album foto pernikahan salah satu famili saya, sekitar satu dekade yang lalu. Telinga saya pun sering diperdengarkan beberapa kaset shalawat-an versi Emha dan grup musiknya, Kiai Kanjeng. Kiai Kanjeng. Nama yang mungkin asing bagi sebagian besar orang yang tidak kenal dengan Emha Ainun Nadjib. Saya sendiri menikmati alunan musik Kiai Kanjeng secara langsung ketika kelas 3 SMA. Waktu itu digelar acara syukuran kemerdekaan RI di depan aloen-aloen Kota Blitar. Saya dan keluarga pun tak ketinggalan hadir di tengah-tengah ratusan rakyat Blitar saat itu.

Beberapa minggu yang lalu, saya dan teman-teman 'sowan' ke studio Kiai Kanjeng, di Jl. Wates km. 2,5 Gg. Barokah No. 287 Kadipiro, Bantul – Yogyakarta. Studio ini letaknya bersebelahan, bahkan satu bangunan dengan kediaman Cak Nun dan Novia Kolopaking. Kedatangan kami pada waktu dalam rangka pengumpulan data paper kelompok, kelas Komunikasi Internasional. Kami mendapat topik presentasi mengenai Komunikasi Lintas Budaya. Setelah sempat berganti topik, akhirnya kami memutuskan mengambil objek penelitian tentang Kiai Kanjeng. Kami beberapa kali berkunjung, dan berdiskusi dengan Mas Hilmi, salah satu dari PROGRESS, menejemen Kiai Kanjeng, dan mendapat banyak masukan dan input. Selanjutnya, kami juga melakukan wawancara dengan Mas Jijit, aktivis Komunitas Gayam 16 yang juga merupakan personel dari Kiai Kanjeng. Bagi yang tertarik menikmati performa Kiai Kanjeng, bisa bergabung bersama 'Jamaah Ma'iyah' setiap tanggal 17 tiap bulan, di Kasihan Bantul.

Presentasi kelompok kami pun berhasil disajikan dengan mengambil studi kasus yang spesifik, yakni : "Signifikansi Tur Cak Nun Kiai Kanjeng(CNKK) ke Belanda tahun 2008 dalam Upaya Membangun Komunitas Lintas Budaya". Saya mendapat banyak pengetahuan dan pelajaran perlu dibagi. Oleh karena itu, mari kita simak bersama perjalanan Cak Nun dan Kiai Kanjeng (CNKK) dalam melakukan diplomasi kemanusian dan kebudayaan melalui media musik dan dialog antarumat beragama. Jika beberapa sumber terdahulu, menyebut CNKK sebagai "Kelompok Musik Plus" ataupun "Ambassador of the Heart". Saya pribadi menyebut mereka sebagai "Agen Kosmopolitanisme yang Humanis dan Spiritualis"


sumber : Facebook KiaiKangeng

Berikut artikel mengenai Kiai Kanjeng yang sebagian besar diambil dari paper kelompok saya dalam Kelas Komunikasi Internasional. Selamat menikmati.


Signifikansi Tur Cak Nun Kiai Kanjeng(CNKK) ke Belanda tahun 2008 dalam Upaya Membangun Komunitas Lintas Budaya

Mengenal Lebih Dekat Kiai Kanjeng

Menyebut nama Kiai Kanjeng, mungkin yang pertama kali terlintas dalam benak kita adalah Cak Nun dan gamelan. Komposisi Cak Nun dan Kiai Kanjeng merupakan sebuah kekuatan yang dipercaya mampu menembus banyak dimensi nilai dan kehidupan yang belum tentu sanggup digapai kelompok-kelompok musik lainnya. Komposisi ini membuat Kiai Kanjeng bukan sekadar kelompok musik. Minimal, itu disebabkan karena Kiai Kanjeng adalah kelompok musik yang bisa digambarkan melalui kerangka plus. Secara sederhana, Kiai Kanjeng merupakan sebuah komunitas atau kelompok dengan misi kebudayaan yang kental mulai berkembang sekitar tahun 1999/2000.

Sejarah awal mula terbentuknya Kiai Kanjeng dimulai ketika Cak Nun melakukan kunjungan ke daerah Imogiri pada tahun 1992-1994 yang sedang dilanda kesusahan akibat penggusuran warga desa atas pembangunan waduk Wediombo. Pemerintahan Presiden Soeharto saat itu yang masih kental dengan unsur otoriter nya membuat segala bentuk protes frontal tidak sebebas saat ini. Oleh karena itu, warga tidak mempunyai kekuatan untuk melawan pemerintah dan terpaksa menerima dana pengganti dari pemerintah yang terbatas. Kondisi para warga yang memprihatinkan kemudian mengerakkan hati Cak Nun untuk sedikit meringankan beban mereka. Pada saat itu, Cak Nun memiliki ide untuk menggelar pertunjukkan drama sebagai perwakilan ungkapan protes, marah, sedih warga Imogiri tersebut kepada pemerintah. Dengan format seni seperti ini, bentuk protes akan dipandang “lunak” oleh pemerintah sehingga tidak menimbulkan konsekuensi yang dapat merugikan masyarakat. Pertunjukan drama dengan iringan musik gamelan tersebut dinamakan dengan sebutan “Pak Kanjeng”.

Gamelan Kiai Kanjeng merupakan sebuah konsep nada pada alat musik “tradisional” gamelan yang dibuat oleh Novi Budianto. Kenapa dikatakan “tradisional”? Karena Novi Budianto disini membuat gamelan yang umumnya berjenis nada pentatonik layaknya alat musik tradisional lainnya, menjadi bernada diatonik atau sesuai dengan nada-nada dasar alat-musik modern. Pelarasan nada ini oleh Novi Budianto pada mulanya dipilih berdasarkan pengalamannya menata musik-puisi Emha Ainun Nadjib sejak berproses bersama di teater Dinasti. Eksistensi “Pak Kanjeng” ternyata tidak terhenti hanya sampai disitu, pertunjukan yang pada awalnya hanya untuk mengiringi drama pertunjukkan Cak Nun di Imogiri tersebut kemudian sering ditampilkan kembali pada kesempatan berbeda pada setiap pengajian Cak Nun.

Keberadaan Pak Kanjeng mendapatkan sambutan yang baik dan meluas di masyarakat dan kegiatan ini merupakan bagian dari pekerjaan sosial Emha Ainun Nadjib langsung di lapangan masyarakat, terutama grassroot dan menengah bawah. Hal ini dikarenakan pertunjukan mereka yang tidak hanya menampilkan musik tetapi juga memasukkan nilai-nilai kerakyatan, kemanusiaan, perdamaian, budaya, keagamaan, spiritual, persaudaraan, social problem solving, pendidikan politik dan sebagainya. Unsur-unsur yang dekat dengan masyarakat inilah yang menjadikan Cak Nun & Kiai Kanjeng (Two in One) yang mempunyai prinsip utama “diperjalankan” ini terus berkembang hingga sekarang. CNKK berpandangan bahwa musik dipergunakan sebagai media atau kendaraan yang memfasilitasi agar pengajian, dialog, diskusi, penyampaian pesan-pesan tadi menjadi tidak membosankan. Sampai saat ini, eksistensi Kiai Kanjeng terus bertahan dan tercatat terdapat kurang lebih 10 orang pemusik, 3 orang vokalis dan beberapa di bagian manajemen berlabel “PROGRESS”.

Dalam setiap pementasan acara, CNKK memiliki tujuan dan selalu berupaya untuk:

1. Selalu mencari dalam sebuah dialog dan forum bersama dengan alasan untuk tetap bergembira dalam keadaan apapun saja;

2. Selalu berusaha memberi hiburan yang sehat bagi hati dan jiwa manusia;

3. Membangun dan mentradisikan kecerdasan masyarakat serta menyebarkan pendidikan politik murni, kesadaran hak-hak dan kewajiban sebagai manusia dan warganegara.

4. Di setiap acara dihadiran semua golongan masyarakat, pemeluk semua agama, semua etnik, semua warga parpol dan berbagai segmentasi yang terdapat di setiap lokal kegiatan.

5. Dalam setiap kesempatan pementasan KiaiKanjeng di luar negeri, CNKK berupaya untuk menjalankan people to people diplomacy. Di dalamnya CNKK menampilkan kebudayaan Islam dan Indonesia di hadapan bangsa-bangsa lain. Sekaligus sebagai tanda cinta dan persahabatan universal, CNKK berupaya mengapresiasi kebudayaan setempat melalui aransemen-aransemennya.

Peran Kiai Kanjeng Sebagai Agen Komunikasi Lintas Budaya

Popularitas Kiai Kanjeng kini tidak hanya di dalam negeri tapi juga telah merambah sampai ke dunia internasional. Bagi pendiri Kiai Kanjeng sendiri, kegiatan Kiai Kanjeng selama ini di dalam maupun luar negeri merupakan bagian kerja-kerja pendidikan yang terkait dengan upaya menjunjung harkat kemanusiaan. Melihat misi yang diusung Kiai Kanjeng selama ini, dapat dikatakan bahwa kelompok ini merupakan aktor non-pemerintah yang memiliki peranan signifikan dalam komunikasi lintas budaya, terutama berkaitan dengan aktivitas tur-nya di berbagai negara yang sangat kental dengan unsur pertukaran nilai-nilai kebudayaan, dialog antarumat beragama, dan persamaan prinsip-prinsip universal yang diperjuangkan.

Dalam aktivitas komunikasinya, CNKK tidak hanya melakukan pendekatan komunikasi lintas budaya melalui media musik dan dialog, namun juga menjalankan fungsinya dalam bidang diplomasi, yakni diplomasi kebudayaan dan kemanusiaan. Selain itu, tidak jarang CNKK melakukan mediasi dalam berbagai persoalan sosial kemasyarakatan di negara yang dikunjunginya. Kerjasama lintas budaya yang terjalin antara Kiai Kanjeng dengan budaya setempat berfungsi sebagai saluran alternatif dalam menjembatani kesepahaman antarlintas budaya. Dalam menyampaikan pesan-pesan komunikasi lintas budaya, musik merupakan salah satu media yang dipilih oleh CNKK. Namun, musik tidak berdiri sendiri, dan merupakan bagian integral dari sistem (keseluruhan komponen) yang dibangun dalam oleh Kiai Kanjeng, misalnya saja sosok Cak Nun, aransemen musik, materi lagu, pesan moral, dsb.

Bentuk nyata aktivitas CNKK dalam komunikasi internasional sangat bervariasi, mulai dari: Konser musik–interaktif; Dialog interfaith; kunjungan ke berbagai komunitas, misalnya gereja, sinagog Yahudi, dsb; Pertemuan dengan berbagai tokoh agama, budayawan, dan negarawan; peliputan dan wawancara di berbagai media. Salah satu bentuk komunikasi lintas budaya yang telah dilakukan Kiai Kanjeng ialah ketika mereka memiliki kesempatan untuk berkunjung ke 9 kota di Belanda, yaitu Den Haag, Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Deventer, Nijmegen, Leeuwarden, Zwolle, Hilversum, Rotterdam dan Etten-Leur. Kesempatan yang besar ini dipergunakan dengan sebaik-baiknya oleh Kiai Kanjeng untuk menyampaikan misi kemanusiaan dan diplomasi kebudayaan.

Salah satu isu yang diangkat oleh kelompok ini dalam kunjungannya ke Belanda ialah perbedaan umat beragama di dunia yang semakin menajam. Konflik dan kesalahpahaman yang terjadi antara dunia Barat dan Timur dikarenakan kurangnya toleransi antar umat beragama sehingga sensitifitas terhadap perbedaan tidak terelakkan. Belanda, termasuk salah satu negara yang telah berhasil menumbuhkan rasa toleransi yang tinggi atas perbedaan tersebut dan hal inilah yang patut dicontoh oleh seluruh masyarakat dunia.

Pementasan Cak Nun Kiai Kanjeng ke Belanda tahun 2008

Pada pertengahan tahun 2008, dunia dihebohkan oleh peredaran film pendek Fitna merupakan film pendek garapan politikus anggota parlemen dari Freedom Party (Partai Kebebasan) Belanda, Geert Wilders. Wilders merilis film tersebut pada 27 Maret 2008 pada situs video LiveLeak. Pada film dokumenter yang berdurasi kurang lebih 18 menit, ditampilkan bagaimana Wilders berusaha mengeneralisasi Islam dari sudut pandang kelompok Islam garis keras. Secara keseluruhan, film ini dapat dikatakan sebagai salah satu upaya propaganda Yahudi yang bertujuan menjatuhkan Islam secara keseluruhan dan memecah belah antara kaum Muslim dengan agama yang lainnya maupun dengan kelompok minoritas lainnya, seperti kelompok gay, Yahudi, dan lainnya. Usaha Wilders sebagai seorang anti Islam yang juga tergabung kedalam Freedom Party dalam memproduksi film Fitna ini sarat kaitannya dengan strategi politiknya dalam memenangkan kursi di Parlemen Belanda pada Pemilu tahun 2009.

Pada saat yang hampir bersamaan, CNKK menyelenggarakan pementasan di Belanda yang bertajuk Voices and Visions: An Indonesian Muslim Poet Sings a Multifaceted Society. Kiai Kanjeng telah menunjukkan wajah Islam yang lain, yang ramah dan toleran, jauh berbeda dari citra yang populer beredar di masyarakat dan media barat. Dalam rangkaian pentasnya, Kiai Kanjeng berhasil menampilkan keanggunan dan toleransi sebagai warga negara Indonesia dan menunjukkan citra positif sebagai warga Muslim.

Rangkaian tour Kiai Kanjeng ini telah memberi contoh konstruktif praktik kerjasama lintas-budaya dan lintas-agama di era yang populer disebut sebagai ‘pertarungan peradaban’ (clash of civilization) - sebuah tesis yang dikumandangkan oleh pemikir terkemuka Amerika Serikat Samuel Huntington (1993). Seperti diketahui, rangkaian tour Kiai Kanjeng di Belanda diprakarsai dan disponsori oleh sekelompok pemuka agama yang tergabung dalam Gereja Protestan Belanda dengan sokongan dari Hendrik Kraemer Institut. Ide mengundang Kiai Kanjeng muncul setelah atmosfir sosial politik di Belanda menghangat setelah politikus Sayap Kanan Geert Wilders melansir film propaganda anti-Islam bertajuk Fitna.

Praktik kerjasama ini sekaligus melawan dua stereotype: pertama, bahwa mayoritas warga Belanda berpandangan sama-dan-sebangun dengan Wilders dalam melihat Islam; kedua, bahwa Islam berwajah tunggal “gemar teror dan kekerasan” — seperti dicitrakan oleh, antara lain, film Fitna. Dengan mengundang grup musik santri untuk berpentas berkeliling ke negeri Belanda, itu jelas menunjukkan sikap ramah dan bersahabat dari sejumlah pemuka Kristen Protestan Belanda. Kehadiran dan pementasan Kiai Kanjeng di Belanda, sebagian dilangsungungkan di gereja, juga memberitakan “wajah cinta damai dan toleransi” yang dimiliki oleh mayoritas kaum Muslimin di Indonesia. Di negeri Belanda itu, Kiai Kanjeng datang tidak terutama untuk berkesenian, melainkan datang membawa hatinya untuk menyapa masyarakat di sana, membawakan lagu-lagu untuk mempererat persaudaraan di antara orang yang berbeda latar belakangnya, terutama latar belakang agama dan budayanya, terlebih lagi tatkala ketegangan antar manusia kerap mengemuka.

Dalam pertunjukkannya di Belanda, CNKK mendapat respon yang positif dari para penontonnya. CNKK berhasil membangun komunikasi yang indah antara budaya barat dan budaya timur, dalam hal ini memanfaatkan unsur budaya untuk mengusahakan hubungan yang lebih akrab lagi di antara Indonesia dengan Belanda. Musik yang dibawakan oleh CNKK tidak hanya memiliki unsur kebudayaan yang kental namun sekaligus berisikan unsur religiusitas yang erat dengan kemanusiaan. Salah seorang responden merasa terkejut ketika melihat CNKK menyanyikan lagu Belanda. Mereka merasa menemukan harmoni antara Barat dan Timur dan hal ini berhasil mematahkan kesalahan konsep pada perhubungan keduanya selama ini. Salah seorang penonton yang merupakan pimpinan lembaga EXPECT di StendenUniversity, mengatakan bahwa penggunaan instrumen musik Jawa untuk menyanyikan lagu Arab dan Barat menyadarkannya bahwa ada banyak hal yang bisa digunakan untuk menyatukan perbedaan diantara manusia, salah satunya ialah melalui musik.

Secara umum, feedback audience di Belanda (yang terdiri dari berbagai kalangan dari akademisi, rohaniawan, seniman hingga diplomat) sangat apresiatif, bahkan beberapa diantara mereka ada yang mengikuti pertunjukkan Kiai Kanjeng di kota-kota Belanja hari-hari berikutnya. Ada beberapa tokoh penting setempat seperti Aart Verburg, Syafiih Kamil, Inggrit Petiet, Jance Smit dan Liliana yang khusus memberikan testimoni. Ada seorang Belanda Liliana yang mengatakan serasa menemukan kembali Identitasnya setelah menonton Kiai Kanjeng. Kakeknya adalah seorang Yahudi dan Belanda, tapi entah kenapa ia merasa seperti memiliki darah Jawa setelah dengar lagu-lagu tadi, dan bahkan jika mati ingin dibungkus dengan kain Batik.

Menurut wawancara kami bersama narasumber, Mas Jijit yang juga merupakan seorang personel dari Kiai Kanjeng ini, pernah di salah satu tempat pertunjukkan, tepatnya sebelum masuk ke gereja di daerah Zoele, para jama’ahnya pada kabur karena Kiai Kanjeng adalah muslim, tapi setelah CNKK bermain di gereja itu, sedikit demi sedikit jamaah yang tadinya kabur tapi karena mungkin tertarik musik CNKK, lalu masuk ke gereja lagi dan kemudian turut menyaksikan pertunjukkan kami. Menurut Mas Jijit, pada saat tur ke Belanda, yang mengundang CNKK adalah PKN, semacam perkumpulan gereja-gereja di Belanda. Di akhir show, sekitar ada 80an pendeta dan pemuka agama lain berkumpul dan membuat deklarasi tertulis yang intinya menyatakan bahwa penjaminan keamanan dan kebebasan beragama termasuk Islam di Belanda dan agar setiap pemeluk agama menghormati satu sama lain. Deklarasi ini bahkan sampai masuk surat kabar di Belanda (tidak di ketahui pakah harian lokal atau nasional).

Mas Jijit juga bercerita bahwa ketika CNKK melakukan pementasan di SOAS sebuah perguruan tinggi di London, ternyata Cat Steven / Yusuf Islam juga ikut menonton. CNKK bertemu di belakang panggung. Cat Steven menanyakan bahwa CNKK ini muslim tetapi kenapa bermain musik, yang menurutnya adalah Bid’ah. Menurut CNKK, bid’ah itu jika terkait dengan ibadah Maghdoh diluar itu ya silahkan. Karena apa iya di jaman Rasul itu ada mobil, handphone, atau musik seperti sekarang ini? lihat konteksnya. Yusuf Islam melihat bahwa personel CNKK yang muslim dari Indonesia ini memluk Islam yang agak berbeda dengan Islam yang selama ini ia yakini, yang lebih kaku. Ia serperti mendapatkan semacam pencerahan. Akhirnya, tidak lama setelahnya, CNKK bersama Yusuf Islam konser bareng di Jakarta sekitar 2003/2004 dan membuat album bareng, dananya dipergunakan untuk santunan kepada korban Tsunami di Aceh waktu itu”. Menurut Mas Jijit juga selama di Belanda, mereka homestay di beberapa rumah warga Belanda dan ada interaksi budaya di dalamnya.

Courtesy to : KiaiKanjeng Official Website
Photos from : Kanjeng's Tour Album Facebook



"... music is a way, a smile without pretense, for warmth and friendship that never end..."

Special thanks to : Ridho and Denis for a great companion :)

love you both, dear friends!

Dear Anna Williams, and
Katherine Burley

Hi girls, do you remember those pictures?
Oh, how time flies so fast. And, I miss you.
I just wanted to treasure such great memories we had during my exchange year program in the States. Thanks for being one of the greatest people who genuinely shared many loves, laughter, and stories in my life. I hope we can meet sometimes in the near future, on some places on the earth. Please kindly keep in touch.

Much love,

Quick Transit

Go Home Again.

picture from here

(Malabar Ekspress)

I managed myself to go home again due to family agenda this week. Again, after less than a week back to routines in Jogja. It was already planned since two weeks ago, before I left home. A day before, I bought a ticket in Tugu Train Station. It was Friday afternoon, and I was a bit surprised that the train station was full of people. First, I grabbed the form to fill the details of my train, including the name and the exact date. I was kinda confused because the train I intend to ride was not written on the board. But I undoubtedly filled up the form with : "Malabar Ekspress"-Tugu-Blitar-23.45

Technology really helped people, and we should take advantages of this breakthrough invention. Thank you internet for providing a magical yet quick answer for my curiosity. So, I already checked the schedule and the price of ticket from Jogja to Blitar on the official site of PT KAI. I had two option trains, "Malabar Ekspress" and "Gajayana". Gajayana is too expensive for student, so I decided to pick another train, "Malabar Ekspress". Besides, I wanted to experience this train since first launched, not so long ago.

Incidental Guests
I was happy to get the Malabar ticket. I simply thought it would be a good experience to try another transportation besides travel car. Also, the price is cheaper one. I only spent Rp60.000, in which i could save Rp40.000 by taking the train instead of travel car. But the only problem is the time since Malabar is too late train, and my parents would be little bit worried about the safety.

The train departs at 23.45. The problem is who gonna take me to Tugu station. My close friends at kost mostly go home in the weekend, so I have to ask somebody else. Fortunately, there were two nice friends who agreed and insisted to drive me there. But still, I felt bad because they had to go back and forth from their kost, pick me up, and train station. Or another alternative is can take a taxi from kost that means that I have to pay for another cost.

What an incidental case that a good friend of mine asked me to go with her to meet and accompany friends from Bandung. So, we went to Malioboro at 9pm and met four friends of her in front of Malioboro Mall. They are all law students from Unika Parahyangan, Bandung who had study project in Jogja I was glad that could spend the night with them. They were all nice . We walked along Malioboro Street, Vredeburg, Zero Kilometer, Alun-Alun Selatan, then finished at the Angkringan Tugu which is next to Tugu Station.

It was my first time experiencing 'Kopi Joss' anyway. Thank new friends. I hope you enjoyed your short visit in Jogja. Time went so fast. When it reached 23.30 my friend and I should say good bye to them. My friend took the taxi to go back kost and I walked to the station. It was less than three minutes walk.

I Love Night Train
It was not that crowded, but not that quite as well. Only few people hang around and waited for the train.I carefully observed which seat wasn't occupied because most of them had been taken. I finally found one empty seat. Next to me was a very formal yet neat guy in early30s sitting quietly. Then after I sat next to him, we had a nice chat. We shared many interesting discussions about medicine, health, job, being a doctor, hospital, UGM, and so on. He is now taking his medical specialist in Unair-Surabaya, mastering in child health. So, then he would be a pediatrician.

I had to leave earlier than him because my train already come. The train was 30 minutes late than the schedule. It was my first time to take in Malabar so I had to be careful. In my ticket it was written that I would sit on the carriage number one, then my seat was on 10 E. I walked to reach the carriage in a bit hurry. There were two guys asked me about the carriage. They said they were also on number one. Their friends who bought and kept the ticket. Then, I told them that we were on the same carriage and explained to the that it was economy class. They were all surprised (*shocked) because they paid 200.000 which is for executive price.

Oh My Lord, I still could picture clearly the facial expression of one of them who yelled at his friend and kind of mad because he thought that his friend cheated on him. But what happened next, I soon disappeared when realized that the first carriage is indeed for executive. I knew I was wrong when I dint find the seat 10E, because it only has A until D. Luckily I didn't look for the seat together with them. Forgive me young man, I learned something afterward: I didn't need to much care for others I just knew. The most important is please Kiki stop pretending that you are a smart ass. In fact you are only "sok tahu". :(

As a consequence, I had to walk, along the train because the economic class is on the back, almost at the end of the train. I was glad when finally I could sit and take a deep breath. And, I found another nice buddy to have a chat. An old man who happened to be born and grew up in the District of Blitar who was trained in the air forces, and now working in the Adi Sumarmo Airport, Solo. Good things about Malabar are first, the food and beverage hawkers couldn't go inside the train, except when it stops at the station. Second, it is fast and on time. I arrived at Blitar train station two minutes earlier than stated on the ticket.

Malabar Ekspress first launched on April 2010, operates from Bandung to Malang. It is very unique because consisted of three different classes in one train. It has two carriages for executive class, three carriages for business one, two carriages for economic class, and one carriage for cargo. Malabar also stopped in few stations along the way from Bandung to Malang which are Kiaracondong, Tasikmalaya, Banjar, Kroya, Gombong, Kebumen, Kutoarjo, Tugu-Yogyakarta, Solobalapan, Madiun, Kertosono, Kediri, Tulungagung, Blitar, Kepanjen, Malang.

Real life from bare eyes
I have some reasons why I love train so much compared to other transportations.
First, train let me make a friend and have a conversation with people from various background.
Second, train allow me to observe my surrounding, and contemplate after all.
Third, I really enjoy and praise the beautiful scene of God's hand from the window.

My favorite part on my backhome trip was in the morning, at the dawn time before sunrise. It was very peaceful and beautiful to see the green rice fields covered with the tinge of dawn.

In brief, train took me closer to another labyrinth of life that rarely being exposed.

Regards,


** I strongly forced myself to write in English, especially after realizing that my IELTS-pre test score was bad :(

"She is Empowering Mother"

my American host mother and lucy, her lovely dog in the porch

image from here

Flashback five years ago. I swung in happiness after received a call from my thousand miles away-American host mom. It was on the exact month of June. After few times emailing each other, she called me warmly regarding my arrival in the States. I remember it was Thursday, June 9th 2005 when I got such an unexpected yet surprising call. Then, we stayed in touch and kept sending information about my arrival preparation regularly. I was happy go lucky girl, esp. realizing that my other friends even didn't know their host-family yet.

August 2005. I flew away to the land of freedom, and was the last yet only Indonesian girl left in the orientation place, in Chevy Chase, Maryland. For the first time, I deeply felt the mixed-feeling of loneliness, excitement, worrisome, and hopefulness. For the next journey, I was guided by one young girl, named Alexis Clark, AFS volunteer. Also, not forget to mention, my Southeast Asian buddy, Saima from the Philippines. We are the only YES students hosted in the Garden States, New Jersey. (Btw, I just found my exchange student's blog. I cant help laughing while reading it. Please enjoy)

It took about three hours to get Princeton by Amtrak. The next orientation in Princeton was awesome, although I kept secretly my soft-yearning that yelling to my heart. I knew that all 13 AFS-ers had the same feeling. Hence, we didn't need a long time to start befriended and accepted the difference. After all, we would always be one AFS family. On the last day of orientation, my host family picked me up. My host mom and host sister impressed me a lot. There are there, for picking me up. They are them who had been waiting for me since early June. I hugged them tightly and my thank can never be enough. I remember my mom who was in a blue summer blouse cried when seeing me. I was speechless, but couldn't cry in return.

We had a little conversation in the car a long way from Princeton to Ridgewood. I felt a sleep almost a half way home. They understood that I was in jet lag, and let me take a nap in the car. When I reached home I continued my nap and had my first meal at home with burger filled by turkey meat. It was good, but the size was too big for a tiny girl like me. My host mom really loved to cook and I always loved to eat. Her food was undoubtedly delicious and healthy. My favorite one is paella (Spanish rice dish). She also really care with the healthy food and nutrition. That's why she always encouraged me to eat salad.

299 West Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, New Jersey

My mom like to gardening. On the backyard of this beautiful yellow house, we have a small garden, planted by various kinds of flowers and vegetables. What I amazed from this country is the fertilized soil. I never thought about that. On the summer, we even can pick, cook, and/or eat vegetables from our garden.

I experienced and valued many things with my host mom, from happy to sad, from little to big, from silly to important, and too many to tell. We like to discuss and argue about what's going on this world, especially about current affairs. As ex-editor of New York Times, journalist and contributor of AP and VOA, I strongly impressed with her broad-minded thought and knowledgability (knowledgeable ability). Anyway, I made up that word. She also always underlined that she really hates George W. Bush. Not only dislike, but with the highest level of dislikeness, which is hate.

I felt forced and motivated in the same time, when she said that I have to be Indonesian President. She said it a lot, not just few times. I was just smile (bitterly. Hehe. because I know my capacity). I know what her point at that time by telling me so. She really believed in the importance of my exchange year program. She wanted to make a difference, and make a change. She was really involved in YES activities. YES (Youth Exchange and Studies), the program that send me to the States to value the living atmosphere and sharing with American people with the most basic principle of human being can ever be touched. I quoted her saying ".. the goal of YES Program is to produce a positively charged "ripple effect" on intercultural awareness, " she said.

news coverage about myself and my involvement in school theatrical group .

Few days ago, I received a sad news from my mom informed me that my mom died. Hold on. My previous sentences was literally wrong. That must be so scary if really happens. No, I mean I was so lucky to be blessed by two wonderful host-family in Ridgewood. I have two host family. Two wonderful host mother preferred me to call them with 'Mom'. So, I have two host Moms. One is what I described above. Another one is previously my AFS liaison and continued to be one of the most closed yet fantastic person who loves and treats me as her own kids. On the half of my AFS year I was encouraged to experience another type of American family, who lives just few blocks from the big yet beautiful yellow house above. I then moved with my super host family in 209 West Glen Ave, Ridgewood.

my mom in front of her house. i liked to help Tim (host dad) sweep this large yard.

My mom told me a grief story that my 1st mom passed away due to lungs cancer about few days ago. I was so shocked and saddened. My words couldn't express how sorry I was for this loss. My mom also suggested me to google the news, because the news was published a lot in the local, and even state media. Having had the experience to know my American mom personally was quite experience for me. And yeah, she had done many great things in life, and dedicated her whole-hearted spirit and aptitude to Ridgewood community. Thus, my sincere thoughts and prayers are truly with her. I hope she rest in peace, forever.

My mom is Ridgewood Councilwoman until at the time she passed away. On the same month and date, five years ago when I was introduced and said Hi to her. Today, I had to send my soft goodbye to her because her life-line already came to the dot. Here is the recent news from Northjersey.com which cover the story about the 'celebration of her life' that attended by hundreds of friends and family. I wanna cite what the site wrote :

"... After emotional speeches from her three children, Zusy’s husband, Al Ortiz, closed the ceremony, calling Zusy "an empowering mother." "When Annie recovered from breast cancer 16 years ago, she vowed not to waste another minute of another day," Ortiz said. "‘When it’s my time to go,’ she said back then, ‘I want people to have plenty to say and I want my children to hear it.’"

Reading that article made my heart beats faster and remained a sorrow deep down inside. I wish to be there and together with the beloved ones celebrated my mom's next stage of life. From the news, I also noticed that the prayers on the funeral was delivered in three religions, Islam, Jewish, and Christian. It was so unique of being her, and was really reflecting her.

The only thing I kept to remember her, beside experiences lied to my heart, is the 'testament' she wrote to me in the day I was leaving Ridgewood. It was so special when she also gave me seeds and sands from in front of her house to make me remember her and Ridgewood. Which I will do for sure. Here I also uploaded the special letter she wrote to me. You can click for zooming in.

To make an end of this post I wanted to share the verse I recite today from Surah Yaseen, Quran :

"Exaltation to Him whose Hand is the Kingdom of all thing, and to Him you will be returned" (36:83)

My condolence regards to my host mother who already return to Him. Like Dad said, she is empowering mother indeed. And yeah, many people have plenty to say about her, and your children hear it a lot. For sure.

Regards,