Semarak Sastra Nasional (SSN) organized by the Arabic Literature and Language Study Program Student Association is the right momentum to reflect on the role of literature in building the nation. Literature is not just a written work, but also a reflection of the soul and spirit of a nation. In this context, the Faculty of Ushuluddin and Adab UIN Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin Banten, as a higher education institution that studies religious and humanitarian sciences, has an important role in promoting literature as a means to strengthen national identity and improve the quality of life of the community.
Literature has the power to weave beautiful words, echo heartfelt voices, and unite common feelings. Through literature, we can understand more about a nation's culture, history and values. Literature can also be a means to criticize and reform society, and raise awareness of the importance of education and culture.
In this digital age, literature faces new challenges. Many young people are more interested in social media and technology than reading literature. However, precisely in this challenge, we can find opportunities to promote literature in more creative and innovative ways. We can use social media and technology to promote literary works, hold discussions and seminars, and raise awareness of the importance of literature in everyday life.
Nusantara literature has an extraordinary wealth in grounding the verses of Love in the books of Nusantara scholars, such as Sheikh Muhammad bin Umar An-Nawawi Al-Jawi Al-Bantani. Nusantara literary works such as poems, rhymes, and gurindam have become a means to express love for Allah and the Prophet, as well as to guide Muslims in living a life in accordance with Islamic teachings.
Sheikh Muhammad bin Umar An-Nawawi Al-Jawi Al-Bantani, a great Nusantara scholar, has written many literary works that ground the verses of Love in his books. One of them is the book “Maroqil ‘Ubudiyyah”, which is a beautiful and meaningful poem about love for Allah and the Prophet.
In this context, we also need to remember the importance of manners in expressing love, as the poem reminds us:
اِحْفَظْ لِسَانَكَ اَيُّهَا الْإِنْسَانُ # لَا يَلْدَغَنَّكَ اَنَّهُ ثُعْبَانُ
“Guard your tongue, O man
Don't let it (the tongue) peck you (destroy you)
Indeed, he is like a great serpent”
This poem reminds us to always guard our tongues, so as not to utter words that can hurt others or even destroy ourselves.
In this SSN commemoration, I would like to invite all parties to jointly promote literature as a means to strengthen the nation's identity and improve the quality of people's lives. Let us weave beautiful words, echo heartfelt voices, and unite common feelings. Let us spread literature for the nation!
Happy National Literary Festival!
