'Diversity's like a rainbow...it's beautiful!'

Abellon, who was born in the Philippines, received his MSc degree in process engineering from TU Delft and now works in the Opto-electronic Materials group of DelftChemTech.

09 Auteur:xEKA BUDIARTO

What is the Lid in de Orde van Oranje-Nassau medal?

“It’s an honorary medal, given by the Queen of the Netherlands to people who have made very impressive contributions to society. There are several levels of the honorary medal. The Lid is one level under the Ridder, the Knight. The medal is given for both civil and military accomplishments, but nowadays it’s mostly for civil contributions.”

Why were you awarded it?

“Four Catholic pastors and one Protestant pastor nominated me for my voluntary work at International Student Chaplaincy (ISC).”

What is the ISC?

“ISC is a community of mostly international students that is based on ecumenical Christian belief, but is actually also open to other religions. The ISC was founded in the 1980s as an effort to offer church services in English, which weren’t available then. The ISC has grown since and now also offers other activities, like global meeting point, interfaith sharing, dot painting and peace meditation.”

What motivated you to join the ISC?

“It’s like family. I feel at home there. The differences among us give me comfort. For example during the church service you hear songs sung in languages you don’t understand, but it sounds so good and makes you feel good too. Diversity’s like a rainbow…it’s really beautiful! Nature comes in diversities, nothing is monotone there. I like to picture it like a prism. God is like a white light that comes onto a media, the prism, which then transforms the white light into different colors, making a beautiful spectrum. And it can even go backwards. We can find God in our differences if we go through the prism.”

Some people say science and religion don’t mix. What should be the role of religion at TU Delft?

“Religion is an enrichment of science, and vice versa. We live in a world of proving, yet sometimes we just don’t have enough knowledge. Physicists for example believe that light has two different characteristics, the wave and particle properties, but they couldn’t explain why and when it behaves that way. Our present knowledge isn’t yet sufficient to explain everything. But that’s the beauty of science: it’s dynamic and awesome. I think similarly about religion. Perhaps some day, if we have enough knowledge, we can also prove religion. I feel no conflict between religion and science: the more I study science, the more I praise God for the beauty I see.”

The numbers of Dutch people who say they are religious is declining and has been for decades. Why?

“Two reasons. First, there’s a generation of Dutch people who had bad experiences with the church. They found it too restrictive, too forbidding. This generation also didn’t expose their children to the church, making the young generation also estranged from it. Second, Dutch society is more or less built on individualism, and the church is actually the opposite, since it’s based on community. In church we should ask what we can give to the community, and not what we can get from it.”

Are the young Dutch generations studying at TU Delft missing something by not believing in religion?

“Well, you can’t miss something if you’re not exposed to it. Paradoxically, it seems that God seems to come into their minds if something bad happens. People tend to either ask God for help, or blame Him for what happens.”

Should religion be taught at TU Delft?

“I recommend philosophical study as a minor, but compulsory subject for all students. Religions could be a part of that study. Through this, the students can broaden their minds and see the whole picture.”

What do you think about the controversial anti-Islamic film ‘Fitna’ made by Dutch politician Geert Wilders?

“I haven’t seen it, and I refuse to see it. But from what I hear, I think it’s a reflection of some Dutch people who are afraid of things they don’t know – in this case Muslim society. They’re afraid Muslim communities will dominant Holland in future. With the current state of secularization, it’s of course probable that young people who want religion will choose Islam. But it’s not a problem. If you want to keep the Christian culture, then be active Christians! Don’t try to marginalize the Muslims, because if you push too hard, then something will snap!”

Can the church play a healing role here?

“Yes. The church should encourage open dialogues with other religions, including Islam. I stress the open character. If it’s done openly, through the media, then people, especially young people, could see there’s nothing wrong with religion.”

With Dutch people generally not interested in religion, is it then more difficult for foreign students who are ISC members to integrate into Dutch society?

“No. Some foreign ISC student members are even married to Dutch people, and some of them are atheists! In my experience, Dutch people respect the choice to have religion.”

When and why did you come to the Netherlands?

“I first came to Delft in 1980 as an IHE scholarship holder. After I finished my education at IHE, I enrolled at TU Delft in 1982 to study process engineering. I also started working part-time at the TU’s DelftChemTech during my study. And I still work at TU Delft, but more on the physical chemistry side, particularly on the research on new generation solar cells. My job also includes supervising laboratory classes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd year students.”

Do you miss the Philippines?

“No. It’s useless to miss something you don’t have. If you give a part of yourself to something, then it will become your home. So that’s what I do for example when I teach. Seeing the light of understanding in the eyes of my students is an experience that no amount of money can buy!”

(l. to r.) ISC Catholic pastor, Fr. Avin Kunnekkadan; Ruben Abellon; and Vicar-General of Rotterdam, Monsigneur Dick Verbakel.