If you have read my two previous posts you might already know that I am doing my internship in a local television channel in Surabaya, Indonesia. As many might have known Indonesia has the largest Muslim population and July is the ‘Muslim holy month of fasting’. This also means jobs dealing with Muslim events are uncountable like fishes in the sea, and one of the main events that I contribute in is a Muslim event – Bazaar Ramadhan 2013.
So basically this event comprise of different segments. The event starts at 12pm opened by a religious band, continued with a demonstration on how to wear a fashionable ‘hijab’ or burqa, and not forgetting the ‘tausiyah’ or known in Indonesia as the Muslim preaching by an ‘ustadz or ustadzah’ (muslim cleric). The event itself is fine for me, the problem arise during the pre-event. I am a non-muslim, I believe in Christianity. I am familiar with Muslim values but still because I am a non-muslim there are several things that shocked me.
For this event the first task I was given is to brief my host. So I gave him a brief coaching on how the event will run, his costume and make-ups as well as other necessary information. The host asked me about who will give the tausiyah where during that time I myself did not know what tausiyah actually is. I told him that I would confirm the details (as I do not want to look foolish and embarrassed) by email. So right after I briefed him for the event, I went to see my supervisor, Yanuar, and asked him what the word tausiyah really means in order to be able to confirm the details.
The awkwardness has not end, the next day I was given the task to go to a Mosque – Muslim house of prayers – to settle the deal with the Muslim cleric, Ustadz Mochtar, who will give tausiyah to the audience. I went with a senior colleague from work and another intern.
So we arrived in the Mosque and saw my colleagues took off their shoes before entering the Mosque, so I did the same. We went up to see the cleric and settle the deal. After settling the deal we set goodbye to the cleric and wish to see him soon in the event. I saw him shaking hands with my male colleague and I give out my hand to shook his hand too because I was brought up in a family that teach me to always shook somebody’s hand to show politeness and respect. When I did that to the cleric my first crisis arouse!
He did not shake my hands back, at first I was heavily upset and insulted as I thought how could a Muslim leader be so arrogant. When I entered the car I asked my colleague what is the deal with that, turns out my colleagues told me that in Muslim teaching physical contact between male and females are not tolerable. Despite the fact that many Muslims did not follow that rule, but a Muslim Cleric will always follow Muslim rules, as they should act like so.
This was definitely a culture shock for me. Despite the fact that I am born and raised in Indonesia, this is totally foreign to me, as I have never made familiar with any of those in both my family and my religion. This is not the only culture shock I encounter, being in the event itself I was indirectly forced to listen and watch about Muslim. This is not a problem for me because I am quite a fair person. I am open minded, as personally I want to do this job professionally. This definitely reminds me on a class situation when Bridget Tombleson (PR International) asked us what will we do if we work for a company that contradicts our own belief. During the time I did not have an answer but now I do.
My answer is:
As long as it is not evil and it does not violates any law. I would try my best to be professional to do a job that does not conform to my beliefs.
My opinion might not apply to everyone but for those who are currently experiencing a job that contradicts your own beliefs, just stay PROFESSIONAL!
Good luck for all of your current and/or upcoming internship!
