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14 December 2020
Faith and Pandemic: Religious Narrative and COVID-19 Survival (Stories and Reflections from Australian and Indonesian Muslims)
Project leader: Mr. Irfan L Sarhindi
Level of education and university: Non Degree, Australia-Indonesia Muslim Exchange Program
Collaborating Organisations: Australia Indonesia Muslim Exchange Program (AIMEP)
Project Location: Nusa Tenggara Barat
Activity Type: Knowledge and technology transfer
Sector: Education and training
Project Rationale:
With more than 200,000 cases and rising, Indonesia is perceived to be unsuccessful in preventing and handling COVID-19 outbreaks. The failure, however, cannot be seen solely as the government's mistake. It is understood that many Indonesian people started to ignore the threat and break health protocols and quarantine attempts where required. One of the triggers, to my understanding, is the ultra-conservative narrative of Islam which is textualist, anti-science, and less critical. They hold anti-Western sentiment triggering the growing interest in conspiracism and anti-vaccine campaigns. It seems that the multiplier effects of the pandemic have provided room for ultra-conservatism to be strengthened.
Meanwhile, in Australia, the Muslim community in Victoria was once accused of spreading COVID-19. The accusation was unproven. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison praised the role the Muslim community played in handling the outbreak within the community. Surely the pandemic has brought about issues of religious narrative and experience for Australian Muslims which differ from their counterparts in neighbouring Indonesia.
Given that, it seems important to reflect on what has happened and what the future will bring in relation to our COVID-19 survival from the standpoint of religious experience and narrative. As the project aims to gather stories and reflections from Australian and Indonesian Muslims, this could bridge further communication and bring about a sense of togetherness.
Project Beneficiaries:
- The Podcastren listeners and viewers
- AIMEP followers and subscribers.
Priority Development Area:
Human development for a productive and healthy society
Link with Australian organisation:
Australia Indonesia Muslim Exchange Program (AIMEP)
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