Ali Audah, Literary Arabic

The afternoon, 4 November 2002, under the blazing hot sky Surabaya, a man running renta robust, up to a room. He came from far away, Jakarta. Needs only one: to speak at the IAIN citizens, especially faculty Adab, on the field he is very old geluti: Literary Arabic.
Ali Audah, yes indeed he orangnya. Glass of thickness, width and jidatnya lines on his face, reflecting broad wawasannya. He was tired, of course. However, the enthusiasm of the cover. One by one he dedahkan national seminar on the participants titled Modern Arabic Literature Indonesia: application of higher does not explode with-ledak, fiery orator as the laiknya. Speaking style, as reflected in his works tebaran: soft, flowing, fine.
Ali quiet carriage. He was very careful in express opinions. At the time of the makalahnya, he was silent a moment some time. However, the various questions that had terlontar Rectorate in the courtroom, he tried seriously. In fact, to such questions from students who expect a writer but unwilling to study philosophy, he said diplomatis: "Being a writer is not a school. Determine which is the talent search process, and he. "
It was her strong self-taught. Formal education, he was reluctant utarakan. Even when trying to ask the more, he still dodge: "No usahlah. Later many people do not believe. Useless, "he said while smiling. Despite formal education does not obey the road is generally the experts, yet Ali had become a lecturer at the Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB). In fact, he had also become chancellor at the University officials Ibn Khaldun Bogor.
Kepengarangannya career as a writer, not much can be tracked. Some piece of poetry that he had created and published in literary magazines. But, kesastrawanannya, he chooses to be as a member of the Board of Jakarta (DKJ).
So, Ali Audah known many people as a translator. Not limited to works of literary Arabic, but also works that focused on Islamic studies. He, for example, had to translate the works of Iqbal Reconstruction of Religious Thought, together with some other writer. And, the work of translation monumentalnya, certainly can not be overlooked: Muhammad Hayat, a biography of the Prophet best, an essay writer, journalist, thinker while Dr. Muhammad Husain Haekal.
Paper on the novel translated Naguib Mahfouz Zuqaq Midaq, marked his career as a translator Arabic Literature. Translated on the short stories writer Arab, spread over various media. Be a loner figure Ali (penyendiri) in the literary Arabic in Indonesia. It seems he is only one figure who can speak so many things about the literature that developed in the Arab Middle East. Tebaran studies on Arabic literature and thought has also been published by Pustka Firdaus: Intellectual Khazanah Islam.
In fact, such as diakuinya own, sikapnya to impose on the choice of literary Arabic, not because their own ideas, but suggestions from friends to fellow writer (Ali had mentioned a name: Asrul Sani). Previously, he was more quarrel with the English and Indonesian.
Following interviews with the passage of men born in Bogor this:
How long have you menggeluti this study?
45 years old.
Since you sit on what level of education?
'No need lah called educational background. Later many people do not believe. Useless.
What is the reason you choose to study Arabic literature?
I actually departs from the English Literature and India. Friends who share menggeluti literature says to me to switch to Arabic Literature. Because there are no people.
You concentrate more on the field of translation ...
In fact at first does not. But, later I was more focused on the work of translation.
What works of literature that is the criteria you translate?
The most important, works of literature that have high quality according to me. Regardless of the contents.
How do you get a script-a script that you want to translate it?
I get magazines from the literature. Hold my own sometimes also met with the author during a visit to the Middle East to attend the invitation seminars, symposiums, and others.
How long you need for menerjemah?
Not necessarily. Sometimes I stop because there are other jobs I have to do. Depending on the length of short and not difficult. For me, menerjemah is not only the language, but also to translate the feelings of the author. Wherever possible that I do.
History of your translation work of Muhammad Hussein Hekal written, how long you translate?
I translate the history of Muhammad that five o'clock each morning after dawn. I go to the office in Jakarta (Ali living in Bogor-red). I translate until four o'clock. I translate night only at the time of day weeks. So can not be perpetual.
Among the Arab literary figures you know, who you most gemari?
I can not say that. There is a good for example in pengungkapannya, grammar or language perasaannya. Nevertheless, I think Hussen Heikal was biografinya works great.
Who works the first time you know?
First, I translate a lot of cliff-cerpennya Mahmod Tymour.
Rate if you have the award in 1988 nobel literature Naguib Mahfouz is to chance factors alone. What's it mean?
Yes. What is still a lot of letters that exceed Mahfouz. For example Ahmad Hussein Kamil. The works puisinya and very beautiful in its meaning. He was never nominated for the nobel. But do not pass.
About mahfouz, I assess the political background is behind the award.
Like what ...
Yes ... could be a conflict between Palestine and Israel who never finished.
Or because the defense made Mahfouz on Salman Rushdie The Satanic Verses when reap much controversy?
Not, not. Mahfouz did not mean defend Salman Rushdie. That suicide is a freedom he berpikirnya.
Despite Mahfouz can perhargaan nobel, in the media, Literary Arabic are still quiet ...
Here (Indonesia - red) are submerged. But, in there (the Middle East, especially Egypt - red) does not. Many people know that he can Mahfouz nobel, and the other, is still very much. Nawal el-Sa'dawi example. Here, many people assume he is writer. In fact, Nawal is a feminist.
How do you assess the works of the Arabic translation of late start appear?
I can not comment on. I can not act as judges, giving vonis.
Who kajan concentration in addition to this you?
Nothing. If that is not much literature.
Why Literary Arabic less attractive?
Perhaps because of that until we are in the style of Arabic literature and the problems of long duration with a thick love story. Modern Arabic literature is very limited, known, in spite of some universities that open the way Adab.
Diplomatic relations Indonesia_Timur Middle sanngat also weak. If there are, the relationship only in political issues, economic and religious. Very difficult to talk with them about the matter-a matter of culture and literature.
How do I overcome this problem?
We own that must be proactive to continue to follow the development of the current Arab Literature. Pursue and purchase works of Arab overseas, including magazines sastranya. Communication with institutions, especially with the universities in the Middle East must also dipererat.