OTOBIOGRAFI SEORANG ISLAMOLOG INDONESIA (1970-2012)

Abstract

Based on his experience of studying under the guidance of two well-known professors in Islam-Christian dialogue, Jean Houben and Arnulf Camps, Karel Steenbrink was troubled to deepen his knowledge and understanding about Islam not just limited simply in academic end eavour but more importantly in practical daily dialogue with Muslims. He was brought up in the very devout Catholic family yet he was so interested to study Arabic and Islam in Theological Seminary, University of Nijmegen, Netherlands. It was in this theological seminary that he met with the twowell-known professors whose infl uence in Islam-Christian dialogue is sosignificant for Steenbrink. His first experience of direct encounter with Muslims happened when he was given the opportunity to study for the period of six months, starting in March 1970 in Bandung, Indonesia. How happy he was when he had the opportunity to join in a morning Islamic lecture held in the Mujahidin Mosque there. After that he was deepening the Islam in thefamous Gontor Islamic boarding school. His further “pilgrimage” toexperience more intensive dialogue through practical daily life is sketched out in this autobiography. Reading with a critical view-point to this autobiography will give us a very precious insight in knowing, deepening,and intercommunicating more intensively with Muslims without being stained by some negative prejudices.