Travelers, COVID-19, and Religious Awareness

M. Khusnun Niam

Currently, various countries are grappling with the impact of the Coronavirus Desease 2019 or COVID-19. This disease has escalated into a pandemic, leaving a significant mark of panic on society. The author argues that COVID-19 is a topic worthy of academic discussion, given the various social consequences stemming from this illness. One of the most evident outcomes highlighted in the media is its effect on humanity. This serves as a starting point for the author's inquiries and prompts a critical reflection on the COVID-19 outbreak and the humanitarian crises that have emerged in the context of religion.

According to the literature reviewed by the author, all teachings of faith emphasize the importance of goodness in human actions. This emphasis reflects a theological-normative perspective, indicating that most religions encourage their followers to adopt a humanistic approach. Consequently, the role of humans within religion emerges as a central topic of study, explored through various lenses, including philosophical, sociological, and anthropological approaches, among others.

Learning from Humanist Islamic Figures

In Islam, tawhid or monotheism encompasses a form of humanist knowledge that is deeply rooted in the principle of divinity. According to Musdah Mulia, monotheism represents a manifestation of God's justice, which should serve as the foundation of humanism for a believer. Mulia emphasizes that monotheism is free from injustice, as it transcends social classes through the pursuit of piety. Piety, in this context, is the conscious and systematic application of religious principles in one’s actions, especially when aligning one’s goals with normative teachings. This concept is explored in her book, "Islam and Gender Equality."

Hassan Hanafi views humans and God as interconnected entities. He argues that humans and God cannot be separated in their roles. In his book "From Aqidah to Revolution," Hanafi emphasizes that individuals who believe in God or adhere to monotheism express this belief through humanistic traits and attitudes. This perspective suggests that Hanafi sees humanity as a manifestation of universal monotheism.

Isma'il Raji Al-Faruqi argues that monotheism serves as the foundation for ethical behavior. He emphasizes that monotheism is the essence of Islam and is essential for understanding the faith, as discussed in various classical texts by scholars about the two parts of the shahada. Additionally, Al-Faruqi expresses concern that if people focus solely on technology or science, they may become arrogant and neglect their religious beliefs. This leads him to underscore the importance of monotheism, especially for educated individuals, such as scientists, so they can maintain humility and embrace their humanity as a reflection of divinity in their faith.

There are still many prominent humanist Islamic figures today, including Nurcholis Madjid, Buya Syafi'i Ma'arif, Abdurrahman Wahid, Sholahuddin Wahid, Mukti Ali, Amin Abdullah, and Mohammed Arkoun, among others. In this article, the author will explore the views of these figures to analyze popular humanitarian issues that have arisen as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. This analysis will also consider the panic and fear exhibited by the public in response to the crisis.

Popular Issues Arising from the COVID-19 Pandemic

In several instances, travelers have been identified by the community as potential carriers of the COVID-19 virus. This perception is based on data indicating that the village areas were safe and peaceful prior to the return of these travelers. However, following their arrival, multiple problems emerged in various locations, notably in Pekalongan Regency. Specifically, cases of COVID-19 were linked to the return of travelers from their homelands in the Bojong and Sragi areas of Pekalongan Regency. Two individuals tested positive for the virus: one was a traveler from Jakarta in Sragi, and the other was a traveler from Bali in Bojong. Reports from Pekalongan indicated that both individuals were asked to self-isolate. The traveler from Bali subsequently caused his mother to test positive for COVID-19, resulting in her needing to self-isolate at home.

In this case, the community's response to the victim was to corner and blame them. This reaction was driven by a desire to raise critical awareness about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the people of Pekalongan urged travelers not to return home, in order to protect their families, especially their parents. This situation highlights the negative consequences of a lack of education about COVID-19, which can lead to poor decision-making within the community, particularly among travelers who do not follow the local government's guidelines.

On the other hand, there are many sad and troubling cases, particularly concerning the rejection of COVID-19 victims in their own villages. This rejection stems from the belief that the virus buried in the ground could contaminate the soil and potentially spread to nearby water sources, putting the entire village at risk of COVID-19. As a result, the act of denying burial to these bodies has occurred.

A Critical Analysis of Humanist Islamic Reasoning

A lack of education, reasoning, and religious awareness contributes to many of the humanitarian crises and issues we face today. For example, this can be observed in cases where travelers fail to prepare adequately for their journeys and disregard government instructions. Additionally, there is a noticeable decline in both religious and humanitarian awareness. As a result, instead of finding peaceful solutions, we are witnessing an increase in riots and hate speech.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted many countries, especially Indonesia. The government has implemented various measures to address the situation, including advising people not to return to their hometowns unless absolutely necessary. This recommendation was made in response to the rising number of travelers returning home without adhering to government guidelines or travel requirements. Many individuals chose to go back to their hometowns for several reasons, such as the closure of their workplaces, which left them without income. Faced with the need to cover living expenses, such as food and rent, many found themselves financially strained and compelled to return home.

In this situation, travelers have become victims of the economic impact of COVID-19. Additionally, they face the risk of physical illness, whether during their journey or while seeking food. Following the insights of the aforementioned humanist perspective, homebound travelers should use their reasoning to address their challenges. If they find themselves compelled to return home, they must take necessary precautions, such as wearing masks, washing hands, maintaining social distance, and practicing self-isolation. These measures are essential to ensure that they do not pose a risk to others. By doing so, they can demonstrate a sense of conscious responsibility, preventing themselves from being a source of hardship for others.

This issue also affects villages with minimal education, leading to a decline in humanity within conscious religiosity. There has been a rejection of returning travelers and bodies of COVID-19 victims, often without any consideration for humanistic Islamic principles. If people lose their ability to think critically and their awareness of humanistic values in matters of faith, cases like these will continue to arise and worsen, compounded by new problems created by society.

The author encourages readers to engage in healthy activities by using critical reasoning as consciously aware individuals. This approach fosters a sense of humanism, enabling people to prioritize what is important and contribute positively to both religion and humanity.

 

Written by: M. Khusnum Niam. He is a Master's student in Islamic Theology and Philosophy at the Faculty of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought, UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta.