Wednesday, 9th May 2007, Departing from Soekarno Hatta Airport, Jakarta with Merpati Air flight no. 802 at 05.30am, I was accompanied by Munsyid (the Qasidah vocalist) in Majelis Rasulullah s.a.w, Mr. Muhammad Qalby. We had a short transit in Makassar Sulawesi, then the 2nd transit in Sorong, Irian Jaya, before arriving in Manokwari at 15.00wit (East Indonesia Time) or 13.00pm. Already there to greet us down the flight stairs, were tens of dakwah activists led by KH Ahmad Baihaqiy (Leader of Majelis Taklim Alkarimah, Manggarai South Jakarta who has been in Manokwari since last month for dakwah purposes), then we waited for awhile in the VIP lounge for luggage checking.
At 16.00wit (Eastern Indonesia time) we were headed for the accommodation prepared for us, Yunita Hotel, the only Moslem hotel in Manokwari, on Jl Essau Sesa Manokwari. When we arrived at the hotel at 17.00wit, we held small gathering with the youths who were dakwah activists in the vicinity.
At 20.00wit, we went to Raihanul Bahri Mosque for Navy (AL) located at Pas Harkan AL, Manokwari. We witnessed how crammed full those attending the Majelis, around 700 men and women, quite a big number for such a small town like this. Dhiya’ullami was recited nicely by Muhammad Qalby from Jakarta together with Hadroh Team of Dakwah Manokwari formed by the young people of the surrounding area. The Majelis were also attended by The Leader of NU, the Leader of Muhammadiyah and government officials as well as public figures.
I had been informed that in that mosque there was one prominent figure, who really hated the Hadroh performance inside mosque, thus the mosque representative asked me to discuss a bit on the law of having Hadroh performance inside mosques. After my speech, unpredictably an old man walked hastily to me, shook my hand and hugged me warmly, I was told later on, that the old wise man was the one who really hated Hadroh performance before. Alhamdulillah this public figure had such good wisdom after listening to my explanation, as my speech at that night was about the Moslem people’s union, and how to unite the Islamic power by empowering the soul of Muhammad s.a.w and the spirit of Prophet s.a.w similar to inheriting the morals of Prophet s.a.w.
When the Majelis was over and they were pushing each other to shake our hands, I pondered… it was a touching moment, even in such an isolated and far place like this, these Moslem people were also jostling each other just to shake our hands, I personally wouldn’t mind if they went home directly, instead of forcing themselves to reach us just to shake my hand. I had similar experience in Jakarta every night, but I didn’t expect to experience the same thing here in Manokwari.
After the Majelis, we travelled around the district of Manokwari before returning to our hotel. The most touching moment was how energetic and full of spirit these young dakwah activists were. Wherever we went, they tagged along us, even for as far as 120km they were convoying right behind our car. Once we arrived back at our hotel, they closed the gate from outside and guarded us until morning, and didn’t even leave the place to continue convoying with us the next day.. Masya Allah…
Thursday, May 10th 2007, At 06.00wit (Eastern Indonesia Time) we headed for SP 1 Prapi Village, Daruttaqwa Boarding School led by KH Alyuddin, (who has been domiciled in Manokwari since 1982). The place was approximately 65km from Manokwari. We were guided by Mr. Sokhib, who was originally from Malang but lived in Manokwari. As a noble man and quite active in Dakwah movement, he guided us without expecting any rewards, while convoying behind our car, a Blazer car filled with young dakwah activists followed by dozens of motorcycles behind them. Along the way to our destination, we discussed the poor dakwah condition around the vicinity.
The already balanced number of Moslems compared to Christians (50:50), were still under the control of Christians until now. It was difficult for Moslem community to build a mosque unless they really struggled hard, even for Adzan (summons to prayer) they were told it was forbidden by laws, they were also told there would be laws to forbid women to wear jilbab (women headdress).
These brothers and sisters of ours were really fearful, some of them informed us that many Moslems were made apostate by Christians, while they still used Moslem’s names like Muhammad, Hasan, Ali and other Moslem’s names. It was created to insult Moslem people, that the names Muhammad, Ali, and others came to church and became apostate.
The Head of Tribe was the authority there, while the community would follow only if there were army forces came to control the situation. Alhamdulillah we have previously contacted Polda MetroJaya to give us authority letter so we wouldn’t get any pressure from the local authority who might think that we were provocateurs.
When we visited Daruttaqwa Boarding School, I once tried to get signal for my HP, in vain, as it was quite difficult here to get signal for hand phone, let alone internet connection. We rested for awhile before continuing our journey to SP.6, Bowi Subur Village, in Masni district, to visit Nurul Haramain Boarding School led by Gus Jumri Al Ghaziy who has just stayed for 5 years in Manokwari. We started the Majelis at 10.00wit, which were attended by the Head of the district and Head of Police in the district, as well as approximately 1.500 audiences, men and women. Maulid Dhiya’ulaami was beautifully recited for the first time in this area, and after the religious speech and the Qasidah were performed, we were entertained by interesting attractions including traditional Pencak Silat (self-defense) performance.
At 11.30wit we left for Wasegi village, Manokwari and found a mosque for Dzuhur prayer. This is a remote Moslem village that faced Wasegi Golden Mountain, it was named after the area which was filled with gold mines but already been closed by the local head of tribe. In this area, when KH Ahmad Baihaqy recited Maulid Dhiya’ullami in this mosque few weeks ago, there was an earthquake for quite a while… We went back to our lodging to have some rest.
At 18.30wit (late in the afternoon), we left for Daruttaqwa boarding school as our closing Majelis. The heavy rain didn’t upset the delighted audience who attended the Majelis which was ended at 22.30wit. Then I gathered all the dakwah activists and gave them guidance and asked them to unite as the defenders of Prophet s.a.w, the army of Rasulullah s.a.w, and I also informed them not to lift the weapon first unless the enemy start it, and to keep fighting with noble morals.
When we returned to Manokwari, the roads were totally dark and deserted, along the 65km perhaps we only bumped into 2 or 3 cars, and behind our car was only one car filled with the young activists from the area. While travelling I once asked: “Is this area dangerous? Will there any bad guys disturb or even rob the car like those happened in Sumatra road lines which were always dangerous at night?”, but they answered that Irian people in that area were afraid to go out after Maghrib, because rumour has it that there was an Evil Witch named “Sewanggi” who loved to kill and eat the bowels of human body. This witch would wander around at night to find its prey, thus nobody dares to go out at night. Great then! …it made us safe, somehow, he..he..he… That night, we spent the night at Hajj Sohib’s house, in Wosi area, Manokwari, and the young dakwah activists were still with us, they slept outside the bedrooms, Subhanallah…
Friday, May 11th 2007, At 14.30wit we arrived at Manokwari airport to left for Jakarta, we had the touching farewell at the airport, and we warmly hugged the young activists as they cried and cried….quite surprising… Masya Allah… Masya Allah… our prayers will always be with you all, o’ the defenders of Rasulullah s.a.w…, although we are far away from you, we will always pray for you all, and we will arrange another visit to keep supporting your battle. Rabbiy (O’ My God) make them die in the crown of nobility, Rabbiy, Guarantee Your help towards them, Rabbiy, Pour them with Your Mercy and easiness, Promise them to gather together with Muhajirin and Anshar later in Yaumul Qiyamah, make them together with Prophet Muhammad s.a.w on the Judgment Day…. Rabbiy, we entrust to You their breath which are full of fighting spirit, we entrust their footsteps and movement that keep on fighting for upholding the name of Your Prophet s.a.w…. Amiin..
(Munzir Almusawa www.majelisrasulullah.org)