Title: KEMI (Lost Love of Freedom)
Author: Adian Husaini
Thickness: 316 pages
Size: 18.3 cm
Publisher: Gema Insani
Place of publication: Central Java
Year of publication: 2010
novel summary:
There are 2 students who have extraordinary intelligence. Aside from their being intelligent, they are also the favorite santri and beliefs of Kyai Rois, a Kyai leader of a pesantren called Minhajul Abidin, Madiun, Java. The husaininantri was named Kemi and Rahmat. That morning, delivered by Rahmat, Kemi conveyed his wish to Kyai Rois to continue studying in Jakarta. Kyai Rois was silent hearing that, he was very surprised and did not expect one of his mainstay students to say goodbye and intend to leave the pesantren. Kyai Rois did not immediately give an answer in the hope that Kemi changed her mind even though in the end Kemi’s desire to leave the pesantren and continue studying in Jakarta could not be prevented anymore. Kemi is provided with a book by Kyai Haji Hasyim Asy’ari entitled Adabul ‘Alim wal-Muta’alimin. Kyai Rois advised that Kemi remain a civilized person. Rahmat understood the mood of Kyai Rois over Kemi’s departure. Rahmat was determined to serve the pesantren where he studied. He did not want Kyai Rois to be disappointed. In Rahmat’s mind there were various questions, what caused Kemi to leave the pesantren and continue his studies in Jakarta, even though previously Kemi had very proud of the pesantren’s education system and Kemi criticized the formal education system in higher education that failed to integrate scientific aspects and moral aspects. Rahmat’s astonishment finally got a little answer after seeing who was the one who picked Kemi, he was Farsan, an alumni of the pesantren who had now become a liberal activist. Rahmat tries to remind Kemi about who Farsan is but is answered by Kemi that he can take care of himself. It turned out that Kyai Rois already knew who Kemi was going to Jakarta. Kemi’s departure for Jakarta and his association with the Farsan really made Kemi change. Kemi already a new patterned human. The campus where Kemi is studying is called Damai Sentosa, a Cross-Religion Institute located in Depok, West Java. Intelligence Kemi has led to new intellectual excitement. He continues to explore the ideas of pluralism, multiculturalism, gender equality, deconstruction of sharia to the desacralization of the scriptures. After a year since Kemi left the pesantren came Rahmat visiting his boarding house. The arrival of Rahmat was not just a gathering but he carried out the mandate and mission of Kyai Rois to awaken and bring Kemi back to the pesantren. Rahmat entered the world of Kemi and met with Kemi’s friends. One of Kemi’s best friends is Siti, a modern, agile and intelligent girl who later became a good friend of Rahmat. From Sitilah Rahmat knows what exactly the activities carried out by Kemi and his group. Siti felt that it was time for her to ask Grace for help to get Kemi out of her group because she realized that she and Kemi had become victims of ignorance and were tempted by the dream of freedom. Rahmat’s task is very heavy but he has the principle of PTT (Abstinence from Task), this attitude is always instilled by Kyai Rois. At the first lecture Rahmat joined, Rahmat met with Professor Abdul Malikan. Professor Malikan’s thoughts were strongly opposed by Rahmat. Every statement delivered by Professor Malikan was denied and broken by Rahmat, making Professor Malikan confused and embarrassed in front of other students. On one occasion Rahmat was invited to attend a limited discussion event at Damai Sentosa campus. The speaker at this discussion was a Kyai who was considered enlightened, very pluralist, no longer insisting on sharia issues and very concerned with gender issues, he was named Kyai Dulpikir. The discussion program was covered by two TV stations and no fewer than five print journalists. On the occasion of this discussion Rahmat debated and broke the thoughts and statements delivered by Kyai Dulpikir. Rahmat felt that this was the time for him to dare to speak the truth. The meeting with Rahmat impressed Kyai Dulpikir, even though Rahmat had embarrassed him before the audience of the discussion which was also covered by print and electronic media Kyai Dulpikir was aware that Allah reminded him of all his mistakes. Kyai Dulpikir delivered greetings to Rahmat and he wanted to know more about Rahmat. This wish was conveyed to Kemi, until finally Kyai Dulpikir fell from her chair in the discussion room. He was unconscious until he finally died. The atmosphere became chaotic and everyone panicked. At the end of his life Kyai Dulpikir felt sorry for all his actions and he also had time to say istighfar. Not only Kyai Dulpikir who realized his mistakes, Kemi and Siti also felt aware that they had gone astray. The friendship that exists between Rahmat and Siti secretly raises the seeds of love between them, but unfortunately the fabric of love cannot be realized because they have the mandate to serve in the pesantren that they cannot leave.
Ahmad Ramdan 