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DIALOGUE (BETWEEN A MUSLIM AND A CHRISTIAN) by K.H. Bahaudin Mudhary
THE OCCASION WHICH LED TO THE OCCURRENCE OF THE DIALOGUE THE FIRST EVENING On Monday evening, March 9, 1979, Br.1 Marzuki, one of the santris of Pesantren Sumenep,2 held a slametan3 to celebrate the New Islamic Year. Some moments later, Br. Markan and Br. Antonius Widuri (both were accountants) who were temporarily employed by the Accountant Office in Jakarta at the Salt national Company at Kalianget [a town in Madura]. Br. Markan was a Muslim originally from Padang [a town in West Sumatra], while Br. Antonius Widuri was originally from Yogyakarta [a town in Central Java, the centre for Islamic learning in Indonesia], born a Christian and raised in a Roman Catholic family. The two persons came specially to meet K.H.4 Bahaudin Mudhary whom they had known previously. Their presence was warmly welcomed by their friends, especially by Br. Marzuki, the host. Br. Markan stated that the purpose for his visit from Kalianget to Sumenep was to accompany Br. Antonius Widuri who had intended to meet Br. Mudhary, and who once had a long wish to compare the question of divinity in Christianity with that in Islam, as well as issues dealing with beliefs in both religions. Br. Markan said that since the kiyai was not yet present it would be better to postpone the dialogue, so that there would be more time available. However, if Bapak5 Kiyai, the host, and his friends would not mind, Br. Widuri would like to explain what he had in his mind, so that there would be no misunderstanding. It would be merely an expression of his personal feeling and belief. They did not mind, as long as it would not offend others; therefore, the dialogue would be personal.