The foundation of Islamic faith (aqidah), the development of literacy, and critical thinking must first be enhanced through a culture of reading books and accessing scientific resources.

Bogor, West Java (Indonesia Window) – The younger generation urgently needs to strengthen the foundation of Islamic faith (aqidah) in the face of the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) in today's technological advancements, a veterinarian has said.

The owner of Dr Chicken, a fried chicken business group, Dr. Kukuh Galih Waskita, made the remarks in a press release concerning a one-day Islamic learning event during the Ramadan 1447 Hijri, in Indonesia’s Bogor City, West Java Province, received here on Saturday (March 14).  

"The foundation of Islamic faith, the development of literacy, and critical thinking must first be strengthened through a culture of reading books and accessing scientific resources," Dr. Kukuh Galih Waskita who is also the chairman of the Al-Bahjah Bogor Raya Education Foundation said.  

The one-day Islamic learning event under the theme ‘Welcoming the Young Generation of Indonesia in 2045 (the golden Indonesia): That is Smart with Noble Morals, and Quranic Characters," was facilitated by the Bogor City People’s Representative Council, and supported by several partners.

The event was organized by the Greater Jakarta Journalists Community in collaboration with several parties at the building of the Bogor City People's Representative Council on Wednesday (March 11).

Among these partners are the Indonesia Safari Park in Bogor, Tatajabar, Cibinong Center Industrial Estate (CCIE), Indonesia’s national news agency ANTARA, Dr. Chiken, Indocement, Yayasan Baitul Maal BRILiaN, Pupuk Indonesia Niaga, Alfamart, The Jungle, AQUA, PT Saraswanti Indo Genetech, Lezza, Aviary Park Indonesia, PT Jasa Marga (road construction company), and Yayasan Baitulmal Ummat Islam of state bank Bank Negara Indonesia.

Kukuh views the rapid advancement of digital technology, marked by the presence of AI and various social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, as a serious challenge that must be addressed by the younger generation of Muslims.

He also stated that it is important for the Muslim generation to refrain from accessing and using social media until they reach high school age, when they are relatively mature.

"Instead, what must first be strengthened is the foundation of Islamic faith (aqidah) and the development of literacy and critical thinking through a culture of reading books and accessing sources of knowledge," he added.

Kukuh also reminded that it is urgent for the younger generation of Muslims to have Islamic manners in their lives.

In practice, the owner of the Dr. Chiken emphasized the tradition of kissing parents' hands, being polite, and being used to greeting neighbors as a habit, all of which are part of the etiquette that must always be maintained among the Muslim generation.

Regarding Islam and science, he noted that many verses of the Quran encourage Muslims to think and contemplate the creation of the universe as a basis for exploring and developing knowledge.

Kukuh, an alumnus of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Bogor Agricultural University (locally known as its abbreviation IPB), also introduced several Muslim scientists of the past who serve as references for science and technology in the modern era to the participants of the event.

"History proves the golden legacy of Muslim scientists in world civilization," he said.

He gave examples of this golden historical legacy: Ibn Sina (Avicenna), nicknamed the ‘Father of Modern Medicine’, with his work ‘Al Qanun fi at-Tibb,’ which became the primary reference for medical science in Europe for centuries.

Then there was Al-Khwarizmi, the ‘Pioneer of Algebra and Algorithms,’ who laid the foundation for modern mathematics and became the foundation of today's computer technology.

Furthermore, the Muslim scientist Ibn Haytham (Alhazhen), nicknamed the ‘Father of Modern Optics,’ who discovered the working principle of the camera (camera obscura) and the experimental scientific method, according to Kukuh Galih Waskita.

Reporting by Indonesia Window