The supergroup Dewa has
received an award from an American foundation, for contributing
to the struggle to promote religious tolerance.
Dewa has won dozens of
awards. However, this one is different from all the rest,
because of its association with religious tolerance. The award
was given by Libforall Foundation, which promotes religious
tolerance throughout the world.
In connection with the award,
the band—whose members include Ahmad Dhani (keyboard), Elfonda
Mekel (vocalist), Tyo Nugros (drums), Yuke (bass) and Andra
(guitar)—are going to visit America.
Dewa received the good news
last month. “Holland Taylor approached our management, and we
welcomed him with open hearts,” explained Dhani, when our
reporter caught up with the star just before his appearance on
the spectacular television show, Indonesian Idol, on Friday,
June 24th in Jakarta’s Sarbini Hall.
One Dewa song that embodies
religious tolerance is Shine On, which appears on the
album Laskar Cinta. Just read the lyrics of the refrain:
Shine on, shine on
Let’s make harmony
For
a better future
Make
harmony
And
let the world
Become a far more beautiful place
For
our children
These lyrics implicitly
illustrate how relations between members of various religious
communities can be good and healthy. Whatever our religious
convictions, says Dhani, we must peacefully unite to make life
on earth more lovely and diverse. There will always be
differences, but that’s the beauty of the world. “It’s
precisely that beauty that gives us life,” explained Dhani.
The music video Oneness
is also thick with nuances of religious tolerance. The figures
in the video all move here and there following an inner
rhythm—portraying a deep love that expresses itself in
movement. All these movements express the happiness and honest
purity that a human being feels in his or her soul, when
enjoying the beauty of God’s creation.
“Perhaps that song and music
video brought Dewa to Libforall Foundation’s attention, and led
them to consider giving Dewa this award,” said Dhani.
Proud
Dhani feels this award is
important for the band’s future career development. Not to
mention that in recent months, various [radical Islamist]
figures have stigmatized Dewa by claiming that their lyrics are
deviant and heretical. The most recent and dramatic claim is
that by Ridwan Saidi, who claims that Dewa’s lyrics insult and
defame Islam.
In addition, Ridwan questions
the use of symbols allegedly forbidden in Indonesia. One
example is the painting of the “eye of the sun” [the “all-seeing
eye”] on the cover of Dewa’s sixth album, Cintailah Cinta
(Love Love), which appeared in 2002. That symbol is allegedly
derived from freemasonry and the development of Israeli Zionism,
which President Sukarno outlawed in 1961.
“This award to Dewa is
extremely significant. It wards off the crazy gossip that’s
been spread about Dewa, claiming that we’re engaged in heretical
religious teachings and that kind of nonsense. Claims that Dewa
doesn’t respect religious differences. Obviously, that’s not
true,” said Dhani.
In addition, Dhani was happy
to receive another award from a foundation. “I’m bored with
awards in the field of music. The other day, I received the
‘Best Hair Style for a Musician’ award from Johnny Andrean.
That made me happy, too,” said the man born on May 26, 1972.
During a week in the United
States, Dewa and their management will not be lying idly on
their backs. They are being promoted by the Libforall
Foundation as a group that spreads a message of tolerance
through its music. The band that was formed in 1987 will meet
people from various religions and discuss the problems
afflicting the world today.
“We’ll travel around and meet
heads of religion there,” said Dhani. For the future, Dhani
hopes that Dewa will continue to promote tolerance not only
between religions but also between various faiths [Indonesia
recognizes only five religions—Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism,
Catholicism and Protestantism—and officially bans other
faiths]. And don’t forget tolerance between different
theological interpretations of the Qur’an.
With His Guru
The album Laskar Cinta,
which was launched in November of 2004, is musically far more
impressive than Dewa’s previous albums. Not to mention its
originality, which is still being discussed by music critics.
To judge by its lyrics, Dewa’s
seventh album has attempted to infuse its music with the spirit
of humanity. Its songs breathe an abiding love that rises to
become truly divine. This is not merely love between men and
women, but also between the umat [the members of a
religious community] and their God. This represents the fruit
of Dhani’s own innermost dreams.
A number of the album’s songs
have become major hits, such as Pangeran Cinta (The
Prince of Love), Satu (Oneness) and Hadapi
dengan Senyuman (Meet Life with a Smile). The
marketplace has responded well. In the first month following
its release, the album shipped over 150,000 copies. Not to
mention that after the protests concerning its cover—which
resembles calligraphy forming the name of Allah—the album leapt
back into the public spotlight and its rate of sales doubled.
[An estimated 2 million+ copies of Laskar Cinta are
currently in circulation.]
“That controversy really
helped the sales of Dewa’s music. In addition, we’ve received a
lot of invitations to visit Islamic boarding schools throughout
Indonesia, to gather and get to know the religious leaders and
students there,” said Dhani.
Besides Dewa, Libforall
Foundation also recognized Kyai Haji Abdurrahman Wahid, alias
Gus Dur. The name Gus Dur is already widely known
internationally, as one who actively fosters peace and tolerance
between religious communities in Indonesia and the world.
As a matter of fact, Dhani has long admired and idolized Gus Dur.
As his follower, Dhani feels proud that he can now work
alongside his guru, although he feels that his knowledge and
ability are not yet equal to his master. “I’m extremely proud
and happy that I can work in the same field [promoting religious
tolerance] alongside Gus Dur, although of course I’m not his
equal,” said the husband of Maia, from the group Ratu.
