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Sutopo’s heart beats for Prambanan

Without a doubt, scholars have done extensive studies on the architecture and religious significance of Prambanan. I know because I read some of the accounts prepared by those scholars.  I find, however, that the best account about Prambanan is that of Sutopo, who is by no means a learned scholar. Sutopo was our guide at Prambanan. He is a Muslim who lived all his life in and around the premises of Prambanan. While he may not have read scholarly accounts about Prambanan, he certainly supplied us with accurate information about it. More than that, his account contained something  missing in those scholarly accounts. That something is a heart that beats for Prambanan.

LS and I barely slept the night before our 6:00 a.m. flight to Jogjakarta. As soon as our plane landed, Danang took two sleep-deprived girls to Prambanan. We got there at 7:30 a.m. and were introduced to Sutopo in the receiving area, which was some distance from the temple complex. At that point, I was dreading the long walk to the temples on a hot day and wondering how soon the tour would end so I could get some shut-eye at our hotel.  Surprisingly, Sutopo later managed to stimulate my senses by introducing us to his beloved Prambanan.

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There is good in Islam

I suppose that most people learn about Islam from their parents or from teachers.  As for me, I learned a few things about Islam  by observing  how others in Indonesia practice this faith.

I did not travel to Indonesia to learn about Islam.  Yet, while there, Islam presented itself to me.

I did not learn about the teachings of the prophet Muhammad or the nuances of Islamic practice. Although, I did learn that Muslims must pray facing the Mecca five times a day, must cleanse themselves before entering the prayer hall, and on certain times during the year, they must fast.  What I did learn, from those who practice this faith, is that there is good in Islam. In the process, I was prodded into re-thinking my initial impression of Islam that was formed from my ignorance and bad press about atrocities supposedly committed in furtherance of this faith.  In the end, I feel a sense of gratitude that my Indonesian experience has left me with a better appreciation for this faith called Islam.