UIN Jakarta Library Building, News Online – Literature never loses its power to critique the times. This was evident during the short story discussion session for “The Thieves' Council” by Mahwi Air Tawar, which was part of the highlight of the Library Festival 2025 at the UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta Library on Friday (June 20, 2025).

The short story presents a narrative that depicts the irony behind the apparent religious and social morality. It is not only about physical theft, but rather highlights moral theft, common sense, and justice in the name of the common good. With a satirical and symbolic narrative style, Mahwi reveals social realities that are often overlooked.

Theft of Morality in the Guise of Religiosity
In one part of the story, the main character Sahri—a mosque caretaker—has a unique and controversial way of raising funds to buy ceramics for the mosque. He devises a scenario involving the “theft” of a resident's cow, with the intention of eliciting sympathy and donations from the community.

“Sometimes, in order for people to do good, they must be treated badly,” said Mahwi, describing the moral dilemma that forms the core of this short story. Through the perspective of the thief who is approached by Sahri to collaborate, readers are presented with a complex social dynamic: how religion, poverty, and personal interests can intertwine in actions deemed “well-intentioned” yet ethically problematic.

Furthermore, this story cleverly raises a troubling ethical question: can good intentions be legitimized by wrongful means? Mahwi presents the reality that behind religious discourse and tradition, manipulative and pragmatic practices are often hidden.

Social Criticism in the Guise of Literature
The short story “Musyawarah Para Pencuri” is not just a work of fiction, but a sharp satire on social structures that are often justified in the name of tradition or religion. The tradition of deliberation, which in its ideal form upholds justice and consensus, is instead portrayed as a tool of compromise to justify unethical actions.

During the discussion that took place during the short story analysis, participants were invited to understand the symbolic context of the story, as well as how literature can open up broader social interpretations. “This short story invites us to question whether good intentions can justify wrongdoing, and whether society's morality is truly pure, or merely a mask,” said Mahwi.

Who is ‘Mahwi Air Tawar’?
Mahwi Air Tawar is a writer from Sumenep, Madura, born in 1983. He is known as a short story and poetry writer, with works that have been published in various national media. Some of his published books include Blater, Karapan Laut, and Pulung. His works have received several awards, including from the Yogyakarta Language Center (2012) and STAIN Purwokerto (2010). Currently, Mahwi resides in Kampung Kebon, Cinangka, Depok, and remains active in literary communities.

Ultimately, Mahwi invites the public to not only enjoy the story, but also to explore its meaning and question reality, proving that short stories can be a sharp mirror reflecting the face of our society today. *RMr

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