Documentary Review: Remembering Natrah

Maria Hertogh and Che Aminah binte Mohamed, circa 1950.

This documentary basically describes a life of a 12 year old Dutch girl named Huberdina Maria Hertogh or her Muslim name Natrah Maarof who was adopted by Che Aminah a Malay woman and was taken back to the Netherlands by her biological parents against her will in the 1950s.

Remembering Natrah reminds today’s society of two important issues that has failed to be practised especially here in Malaysia. The first lesson is a about religious tolerance and respecting human rights. Secondly, is how ignorance would result in one leading a lifetime of misery.

The director has outlined a few important things that we should take into account at this time such as how we regardless of the media or society’s perception should correct people’s view of Islam being a religion of extremist. In addition, respecting the religion of others is the most important element in creating a harmonious environment within a society.

The documentary outlines how provocation towards a religion does not bring any benefit. A good example would be the case of Natrah. When the Malay party lost in court for the second time to keep Natrah in Malaya with her adoptive mother, they accepted the decision quite well although they were very disappointed with the courts’ decision. However, to add salt to the wound a provocation was made by an international newspaper showing Natrah kneeling in front of the Virgin Mary’s statue and  had made the Malays felt that their dignity was being lowered by another religion.

Remembering Natrah has made us think of how important it is for people to respect each other regardless of religion and that all religions should be treated with the equal amount of respect and courtesy.