Open Invitation
ICAIOS-FPA Young Scholar Discussion Series
International Centre for Aceh and Indian Ocean Studies (ICAIOS)
"Aceh Cultural Identity and Hegemony: An Analysis of Aceh Strategic Functions and Sharia Culture”
Speaker:
Saifuddin Dhuhri (a PhD student at the Faculty of Education, Monash University Clayton, Melbourne-Australia / a tenured lecturer at the Malikussaleh State School of Islamic Studies, Lhokseumawe)
Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at 4.30 pm thru 6.15 pm
ICAIOS Seminar Room, Darussalam Banda Aceh
Abstract:
The speaker will address three major issues. First, what is the right understanding of Aceh cultural identity? When discussing this first point, the speaker will highlight previous studies on Aceh cultural identity. In this particular review, the speaker will present opinions expressed by several renowned experts such as Snouck, Edward Aspinall, Arskal Salim, and etc on Aceh cultural identity. After analyzing these opinions, the speaker found that these renowned experts’ ideas are contradictory to one another. In order to straight this up, the speaker argues that such contradictory arguments were due to the fact that the renowned experts built their conclusions on essentialist understanding of cultural identity. On the basis of this, it is crucial that Aceh cultural identity be redefined by using constructivism and non-essentialist approaches.
Second, what is Aceh cultural identity? When answering this particular question, the speaker will try to connect his answer to Stuart Hall’s theory and to how Aceh cultural identity can represent local politics and strategic meanings. Here, the speaker will use historical approach to Aceh cultural development. Aceh’s islamization, dayahs (traditional Islamic boarding schools), cultural structures, and the roles of Aceh’s arts will be presented as a form of Aceh true cultural identity.
The third important point pertains the functions of Aceh Sharia Law which has transformed Sharia Law as an instrument of cultural hegemony. Contemporarily, Sharia Law in Aceh has shifted its functions, from the cultural functions to the narrowly-defined legal functions. It has also transformed into the hegemony and the domination of a cultural system. The three major issues will be addressed in accordance with data gained through research projects and literature reviews.
Speaker Short Bio:
Saifuddin Dhuhri is a tenured lecturer at the Malikussaleh State School of Islamic Studies (STAIN Malikussaleh) in Lhokseumawe. He earned his BA degree on Islamic Theology and Philosophy from the Faculty of Ushuluddin, Al Azhar University in Egypt. He obtained his MA degree in the same field from the University of Kurawiyien, Morocco. Currently, Saifuddin is presently registered as a PhD student at the Faculty of Education of Monash University, Australia. His PhD research project is entitled Representations of Culture and Identity in Teachers Pedagogies: A Case Study of Art Education in Secondary State Schools in Aceh. He is also known as a researcher and an active writer for a number of media.
This discussion is open for public and the participants will not be charged. Due to space limitation, however, registration is suggested and can be made through info@acehresearch.org or SMS to 0823 652 555 00.
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