Have you ever watched the movie Syukur 21? I used to love the idea of Raudhah, a Muslim city (or country? I don't remember) that is so technologically advanced, intellectual and has that peaceful Islamic ambience that truly represents the word 'Islam', which means Salam or Peace. Muslims say their salam or "peace be upon you" to each other, multiple times in a day. So that's the concept of Raudhah, the city in the movie Syukur 21. I loved it so much because there isn't any place like that in the world in this era. There used to be, back in the era of the Ottoman Empire, I believe. Imagine Wakanda for the African people, that's how Raudhah felt like for us Muslims.
I believe a lot of Muslims here in Malaysia were obsessed with Raudhah too, that's why we have this bits and pieces of Raudhah inspired places, organisations and architecture almost everywhere in Malaysia. There's a new housing area literally called Raudhah City which is open for sale for Muslims only, and there's Malakat Mall, open for Muslim tenants only, Brainy Bunch, schools for Muslim children only with their own syllabus different from any other schools, and lots more. That's weird because the Raudhah in Syukur 21 wasn't discriminatory to other religions/races. When you think about it, the Raudhah concept is brilliant, but the people obsessing over it and overthinking it and overdoing it, kind of ruin it all. These are the same people rejecting vaccines and public schools for their children, supporting the idea of a Taliban government, giving a bad name to Islam and making their every agenda a "religious" one.
I miss the good Raudhah. Although it never existed, and only existed in a movie. I'll forever daydream that I'll live there one day.
