TIMESINDONESIACO.ID – Banyuwangi Kaneman puppeteer association (In the past) condemn Khalid Basalamah's statement that wayang kulit should be destroyed. These young puppeteers completely disagree if wayang is called an activity that violates Islamic law or is haram.
Padakawangi asked Khalid Basalamah to delve deeper into the history of Islamic civilization and its spread in Java. Where, at that time Sunan Kalijaga took advantage of the shadow puppet culture to spread Islam in the archipelago.
“The puppeteers in Banyuwangi strongly criticize when wayang is called unclean or something that must be destroyed,” said Chief Padakawangi, Ki André Tri Winarto, Tuesday (15/2/2022).
Strickly, Padakawangi stated that the wayang kulit civilization in Indonesia was far older than Khalid Basalamah's own age or insight. Puppet, has become a medium that is said to have contributed greatly to Islamizing the island of Java, which was once a Hindu-Buddhist civilization.
Padakawangi evaluates, preaching activities carried out by the ustadz, kiai or Islamic religious leaders today, not much different from a puppeteer. A mastermind, tells the stories of life played by wayang and tries to convey manners and how to behave properly as God's creatures.
“Example, what is the difference between a storyline played by wayang and humans in a soap opera? All the same, The point is to give an overview and leave a good message to the community,” he said.
Even though Halid Basalamah has already apologized, but Padakawang hopes that the apology will be accompanied by good faith by meeting the puppeteers in Java.
“Of course we apologize, but should also apologize (meet) directly to the elder puppeteers in Indonesia. Da'wah is fine but don't divide the nation. Moreover, trying to uproot our culture,” said Ki Andre.
Padakawangi really regretted what Khalid Basalamah had said in his lecture. lightly, he suggested that the movie be destroyed, even though wayang is an Indonesian cultural heritage that has been recognized by the world.
“Maybe he should learn more about the history of Islam in Indonesia. This nation is proud of the wayang. Even Malaysia itself claims their own wayang. Why does this even want to be destroyed?,” strictly.
To be known, Recently a video of Khalid Basalamah's lecture went viral on social media. He suggested that the owner of the puppets should destroy their collection because it is haraam in Islam. In a video that is circulating, Khalid was answering a question from someone who likes wayang and how the puppeteer profession repents.
The video drew a lot of criticism from netizens and lovers of shadow puppet culture. Banyuwangi Kaneman puppeteer association (In the past) also criticized it. Even, Indonesian Puppet Association (Pepadi) The former Banyumas Residency threatened to report Khalid Basalamah to the Criminal Investigation Unit at the National Police Headquarters.
