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International Student Supplement 1st April 2008
Describe your average day as a college student? Lectures happen in the morning and early a ernoon for all students and then in the evening we would have special classes in music and dancing. We take music classes in order to make us open to the African culture. We play xylophones, drums, tympani and the flute. If we have spare time, I go to the library or for a meal, or even for a sleep- it all depends on my mood that day. We don’t have a uniform; we just have to look decent. There are no restrictions really. There are some people in the college from rich backgrounds who have had exposure to designer clothes, but for most brand-names are not a priority.
here in Africa. Floods affect African people’s livelihoods; famines affect people in developing countries. What is the greatest ethical problem facing the world? Indifference and greed are the biggest problems in all societies. For Africa and the rest of the world, north and south, it is a very big problem. If you go to the core of the policies that have been introduced in the developing countries, you find an underlying sense of greed. People who represent the developing countries fail to live up to expectations of their people. They use money that is meant to develop a sense of equality in society for their own personal benefit.
Do you have any religious beliefs? I am a Muslim by birth, and I practise it. Do you have any political affiliations? My orientation is pinned on liberalism. I believe firmly in social democracy. What is the burning issue of our time? I would go for global warming. The consequences of global warming have direct links with the poverty that we face
Nurideen Ghana Describe your average day as a college student. Usually I wake up in the morning at 5am then do my first prayer of the day. I have three to four days a week study at college. At 1pm I take a break for a while to do my second prayer and lunch. I talk to my friends in the evening about global matters Everyday I wear a cotton shirt and jeans to college. My favourite jeans are from Levis but my casual trousers are produced by a local factory. I wear local shoes but I have several collections from Buccheri. For formal events like presentations or examinations, I wear a national costume which is decorated by the art of Batik, a royal Javanese tradition. Do you have any religious beliefs? I am a Moslem, from a traditionalist group. Historically, Islam in Indonesia was an open religion and promoted tolerance and assimilation with a variety of cultural traditions. I was born a traditional Moslem and I believe that religion can be managed as a social instrument to empower society. The role of Islam in politics and society must be understood as social capital that contains universal values for good interaction within an Islamic environment. Do you have any political affiliations? I don’t have any affiliations to a political party as a member. During my as a BA student, I was a member of the Indonesian Islamic Student Movement (PMII). What is the
burning issue of our time? In my opinion, the biggest problems are global warming, as well as terrorism and poverty. I live in a country which has those three problems above. The world o en identifies the idea of terrorism with the Islamic religion, and sometime doesn’t recognise the peaceful nature of the religion.
Name: Muhammed Faishal Aminuddin Date of birth: November 22nd, 1981 Place of birth Indonesia College: Gadjah Mada University
Q.5) What is the greatest ethical problem facing the world? The greatest ethical problem is the ideological campaign of US foreign policy politics. The war they have embarked upon has caused an economical depression. They believe that war is urgently needed to create world peace. In my opinion, their ideology has a strong relation to the growth of fundamentalism. Fundamentalism produces cruelty, intolerance and psychopathic and social distrust. For students in Dublin that don’t know a lot about your country and its people, how would you describe it to them? Indonesia is a Unitarian nation state and declared independence in 1945 from Dutch and Japanese colonialists. I come from the Java tribe. A cultural heritage passed
Favourite book: Bumi Manusia and Anak Semua Bangsa by Pramoedya Ananta Toer Favourite meal: Tuna steak Do you drink/smoke/take drugs? I smoke sometimes
For students in Dublin that don’t know a lot about your country and its people, how would you describe it to them? I would describe Ghana as being a very peaceful country. Most of the people are very hospitable, and notoriously religious. The Christians and Muslims of Ghana believe strongly in
contrast to your own country? The developing world and countries such as Indonesia need to learn from the Western world in many aspects, especially education and economy. Welfare and social justice systems can be managed by intercultural dialogue. I disagree with any economic system that leaves countries at the mercy of international agendas. What is your family life like? I come from a big family. My father is a District Functionary and my mother is a teacher. I meet my family only two days in a month because I live in another city about 350 km away. But when I come home, we usually have dinner or breakfast together. At night, I have a nice chat especially with my parents, about our family and how they’ve been when I was not around.
Hobbies: Swimming, gardening Course: Political Science
on through generations offers a wealth of traditional arts and cra s. Batik, wooden carvings, weavings, silverworks and many other traditional skills produce exquisitely beautiful items. Indonesia’s multi-racial and multi-religious culture mean that festivals steeped in traditions are celebrated throughout the year. Frequently featured in these events are dances, wayang theatre and other performing arts.
What is your perception of the countries of the developed world / developing world in
Where do you see yourself in twenty years? I can see myself sitting equally with other people from different countries in the general assembly of the United Nations. I want to promote peace and find a final solution. I am just an ordinary person but I have a huge imagination and am always thinking about how our nation can become a great nation. Where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world? There are wonderful international cities like Paris, London and Dublin. The Pyramids in Egypt, the Grand Canyon in the US and Fuji Mountain in Japan are wonderful places but I love my country. Although my country has problems with politics and economics, it’s a challenge to Indonesian youth to build a better country.
Muham
United St Indonesia