Jalaleddin Rahmat, Indonesian scholar:
Electronic books are published with orientation to the new oppressive culture in the world
Jalaleddin Rahmat, a university professor and one of the prominent scholars of Indonesia said: Today, we are confronted with new challenges in the publication arena. Printing machines print new books and currently 3 million books are ready to be downloaded. Electronic book is a new system for book publication, which has been implemented since September 2009 with a new oppressive culture.
During his lecture, delivered in International Conference of Islamic World Publishers, he added: Today, books are published with a new culture in the world. Digital printing culture is started and the western world publishers have invested more on this field. How to deal with the digital revolution is an issue we are confronted with now.
Rahmat reiterated: Some publishers are worried that that more investment may be allocated to the electronic book publication so that the written publication is forgotten. Although there are lots of advantages for electronic publication, however the written books usually bear more suitable contents for the Islamic world. Book is the best means for the worldwide education and training and it is accessible for the far distance points of the world and its transportation is so easy.
He stated: Electronic books are not accessible in all places and in all times in the world. Book expresses the social values better. Book is a genuine resource which is transferred from one generation to the other and thus reserved, while the electronic books may be easily deleted or even altered. We need joint investments in these two arenas because we have not achieved our ultimate goals in the printing industry.
Expressing the fact that the contents of the electronic books may be easily deleted or altered, this Indonesian publisher stated: The traditional books are privileged of being saved as documents.
Jalaleddin Rahmat proposed: The Islamic world publishers and scholars may establish a common publication center, to provide more occupational opportunities and also promote the economical status of book publication.