UNS — The Research Group for Malay Philology, Faculty of Cultural Studies (FIB), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta held a webinar on disease and outbreak in the ancient manuscript perspective. The event was held on Saturday to Sunday (29-30/08/2020) through the Zoom Meeting platform and Youtube Livestream, with a total participant of 100 people from various parts of Indonesia. The event invites 6 (six) speakers, they are Prof. Oman Fathurahman, Prof. Istadiyantha, Prof. Bani Sudardi, Dr. Munawar Holil, Totok Yasmiran, dan Prof. Madya Awang Azman Awang Pawi.
Prof. Madya Awang Azman Awang Pawi from Akademi Pengajian Melayu (APM) University of Malaya, Malaysia, delivers material on Caring for Common Sense from the ‘Syair Ikan’ Perspective. “A strong religious foundation is a major factor in treating the common sense of society. This is because the faith and trust in the power of God Almighty will be a fortress for those who believe, not to fall into the deception of the world. Based on this quotation from ‘Syair Ikan’, the poet conveys some message to the community to care for common sense,” explains him during the presentation. In the ‘Syair Ikan’, the poet is calling on society to make changes in life, to change negative behaviors into positive behavior, which is to avoid abandoning the prohibitions of Allah SWT and obeying to His commands.
Meanwhile, the second speaker, Prof. Oman Fathurahman, a Professor from Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah, states that the outbreak cycle always forms a new culture. This has been written in the old national records or manuscript. “This is because there was a rise of scientific passion and research in the medical field, especially related to disease or epidemics. Moreover, it is supported by the birth of religious interpretation that stressing the balance between faith and common sense. Therefore, an epidemic can lead to letters, characters, and works,” Prof. Oman explains.
Following the first two presentations, two Professors from FIB UNS, Prof. Bani Sudardi, and Prof. Istadiyantha, are presenting materials on “Batik and Health” and “Islamic Medication”. There are many guidelines in Islam governing human health, one of them is the Al-Qur’an, in Al-Baqarah verse 168. Following these materials, Totok Yasmiran from Radya Pustaka Museum reveals that his parties continue to strive to rescue library materials, both old and young. The efforts made are, among others, to provide ancient manuscripts and old published books, and transliteration of manuscripts and translations.
The last material on Cholera Epidemic in ‘Wawasan Piwulang Panulak Panyakit Kolera (WPPPK)’ manuscript, was presented by Dr. Munawar Holil, from the Faculty of Humanities (FIB), Universitas Indonesia (UI). In the manuscript, there is an encouragement to stay at home in the event of an outbreak as well as several protocols in handling cholera that is relevant to the Covid-19 handling. “Malah agama marentah, wajib keur ngaraksa diri, naon nu jadi malarat, ulah pisan wani-wani, lamun aya panyakit, nu sanget di hiji lembur, ulah nyaba ka dinya, ti dinya teu meunang nyingkir, cocog pisan reujeung aturan nagara,” quotes Dr. Munawar from WPPPK manuscript, “this means ‘even the religion commands the obligation to take care of oneself, what makes miserable, do not dare, if there is a disease, which is dangerous in a village, do not visit the village, those living in the village can not leave the village, following the rules of the country’,” explains Dr. Munawar.
Through this webinar, the community is expected to understand that many manuscripts studied the outbreak and disease. It is a national treasure that should be preserved and revisited. Humas UNS
Reporter: Bayu Aji Prasetya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
