Nathalie Dagmang

2010-24702 BFA Sculpture

Reflection paper: IIS Visit and Turkish Cultural Exhibit The Islamic culture is often viewed as mystical, exotic, war-loving, and others that arent really characteristics of this culture. We may have viewed them as mystical and exotic because we are not very familiar with their rich culture. We may have seen depictions of this culture in forms of media like mainstream movies, tv shows and cartoons, that usually claim Muslim characters who are moneylenders, magicians, fortune teller, or rebels. I think it is best to know the culture of Muslims through a real Muslim who practices his/her culture in his/her everyday life. Only a Muslim can accurately describe his/her practices and traditions, and the situation of the Muslim community in a country like the Philippines where majority of the population are not Muslims. Back then, I was ignorant of the Islamic culture because I didnt know a single Muslim. I grew up watching Disneys Aladdin, believing that they are the magicians, fortune-tellers and rebels. It was only later in high school that I learned that Christianity and Islam have the same line of faith, only differing in terms of doctrines and the accepted prophet. Objects and teachings from the Islamic culture still appear as mystical to me, but now more in a positive way. Before, my mom would scare me that the bumbay would get me if I go too near, or the news would show me images of muslims with guns. They were usually depicted in a negative way by the media, and many people are brainwashed by it. I think it is essential for non-Muslims to learn about their culture, for Muslims have also tried to understand the Christian culture in order to blend in with us. They are more tolerant, in my opinion, and less controlling than Christians in terms of national issues like the RH bill. Their art amazes me, in particular the hand-crafted copperware and gold designs on jars shown in the Turkish cultural exhibit, which was unbelievably intricate, in contrast to the usual copperware that are available commercially. It is also important to take note of the cultural objects shown in the exhibit and the IIS library that is somehow similar to us so that we could identify with them easily. The textiles and Chinese-influenced pottery that were exhibited are similar to those that are found in the usual Christian home. Learning to write in Arabic can also help in learning the Islamic culture. Their culture can be traced from the Koran and other famous writings, which are usually written in Arabic. We can also view their differences from our own culture in a more positive way instead of feeling alienated and scared . One interesting fact about their culture (although I didnt check if it still holds true today) is their positive perception of fire. The sight of fire was almost pleasurable to them. People gathered around the fire and somehow celebrated it while writers wrote about this gathering. They accepted fire as if it was their fate and that it was meant to happen. I saw this as a manifestation of their less materialistic culture, that they gave importance more to the plans of fate (of what is destined to happen) than their houses and properties.