Visiting Return of Prof. Bashar Arafat, The Imam from Uncle Sam

He is a Imam from the United States and he is Prof. Dr. Imam Bashar Arafat who once visited the DaQu Islamic Boarding School back in 2018.

On Saturday (26/11) afternoon, the students gathered at the Nabawi Mosque in Daarul Qur’an International Islamic Boarding school because there’s a guest who would visit, and of all the guests who had visited, this guest was the most interesting, he is a Imam from the United States and he is Prof. Dr. Imam Bashar Arafat who once visited the DaQu Islamic Boarding School back in 2018.

Professor Bashar who was accompanied by KH. Ahmad Jameel, KH. Saiful Bahri and Ust. Aiga Georgia, an IDaQu student and also a DaQu Tangerang Islamic Boarding School Ustadz Language as an English translator, was warmly welcomed by the students who had dreams of continuing their education in Uncle Sam's country, Professor Bashar talked about studying and Dakwah in America, he explained four points for how can we spread Islamic knowledge to all mankind.

The first is learning, it has been revealed in the Al-Qur'an surah Al-Alaq which begins with Iqra' which means reading, reading for learning, broadening knowledge and also understanding so that we can become human beings who are useful in the wider community because the people who astray, are people who do not know the depth of knowledge.

Second, “don't just be an ordinary person, but you have to be a star” said Professor Bashar, what he meant by “star” is to become an “ulama” in your respective neighborhoods to share the knowledge of islam in a new perspective.

Third, "Be a Global Citizen", don't just become an Indonesian citizen but become a global community that understands developments that are happening around the world, and to be able to understand what is happening around the world, you can start with learning English, because English is an international language that can be understood by the whole world.

Last, Professor Bashar quoted from surah Al-Baqarah verse 124 that said,

وَاِذِ ابْتَلٰٓى اِبْرٰهٖمَ رَبُّهٗ بِكَلِمٰتٍ فَاَتَمَّهُنَّ ۗ قَالَ اِنِّيْ جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ اِمَامًا ۗ قَالَ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِيْ ۗ قَالَ لَا يَنَالُ عَهْدِى الظّٰلِمِيْنَ

˹Remember˺ when Ibrahim was tested by his Lord with ˹certain˺ commandments, which he fulfilled. Allah said, “I will certainly make you into a role model for the people.” Ibrahim asked, “What about my offspring?” Allah replied, “My covenant is not extended to the wrongdoers.” (Al-Baqarah: 124)

He explained that when Prophet Ibrahim AS was made by Allah SWT as an imam not just only for Muslims but for all mankind, he encourage the students to learn to become stars who understand world developments and who can become leaders. not only in their respective neighborhoods but become leaders around the world.

When the students were invited to ask questions, there were students who asked about "how do Americans view Muslims since the 9/11 incident?" This question made Professor Bashar surprised because these were young students who dared to ask this question, he answered "actually this is a golden opportunity, why? Because many Americans have started to learn about what Islam really is, many campuses in America have also started teaching about Islam since that incident, but unfortunately many mass media in America have discredited the name of Islam by changing the perception of news."

Then there were students again who asked about the existence of Muslim figures who were included in the presidential election cabinet which would take place in 2024, Professor Bashar enthusiastically replied "yes, this is one of the big changes that have occurred in America, and this is proof that Islam has begun to be accepted by the legislature, and also the American people are starting to accept Islam slowly but surely.”

The arrival of Professor Bashar succeeded in giving an inspirational impression and succeeded in building the enthusiasm of the students to continue studying knowledge which is not only for the hereafter but can be of benefit. for all mankind who are ready to play a role in the development of the world very quickly and rapidly so that they can implement Islamic teachings in the world movement system.

Writer: Luthfi Hakim, Daarul Qur’an Islamic Boarding School Tangerang, Grade 12