Ulul Albab?

One of the observations that I've noticed in the recent times in architectural designs in Terengganu is the reemphasizing of traditionalism and Islamic influence in the society, in the midst of the cheap, ubiquitous, modern industrial age shoplots and homes sprawling around the city.

New buildings like the Crystal Mosque, Sultan Mahmood airport, Mydin Hypermarket, Taman Budaya in the Idris Jusoh era can be contrasted with Mokhtar Ahmad's modernistic outlook portrayed by the decade old Wisma Darul Iman, Wisma Negeri dan Persekutuan, Pangsapuri Kg. Tiong and buildings of that sort.

While the tendency to go approach heritage and traditionalism may be inspired by tourism and also the present political climate of religious piety, nevertheless it reflects the society's reluctance to break away from the old, even a huge sense of reluctance to reinterprete its heritage in terms of modernity despite of economic and infrastructural developments.

In the midst of that, Islam Hadhari pose a new philosophical discourse to the architectural and social trend, to embrace Arabic Islamic civilisational heritage, which means, a political effort to infuse Arabic art into traditional Malay architecture. This infusion is hoped to express an alternative hope of modernity through Islam.

While I think that a desire for modernity is laudable, it should be birthed out from local contexts, not grafts from elsewhere, worse still if it is just applied on physical forms in architecture and not through education nor transformation of culture.

The Generasi Ulul Albab slogan, Quranik, Ensiklopedik, Ithjihadik sounds impressive, but without genuine openness to embrace modernity in its fullness; which I think should include (true) democracy, academic freedom, egalitarianism, truth prevailing over dogma, diversity in thought, tolerance, justice etc., these calls for renewal and progressiveness will not go beyond rhetoric, moralising and impressive architectures.

p/s : I am impressed with the architecture and philosophy behind Assyafaah Mosque in Singapore. Check it out here and here.