Falling leaves are written in the Mahfuz Lauhil. We don't know what God's plan is. Initially I got a placement (post) in Greece, the land of philosophers, the place of the civilization of reason. For some reason, counterpart Dompet Dhuafa (DD) there is no longer continuing the partnership.
I was also transferred to Negeri Gingseng, South Korea. When the visas for other dai had been issued, there were two dai who did not get their visas, including me. The DD finally transferred me. Qaddarallahu, four other dai and I were able to fly to Hong Kong, May 8, 2019. We arrived in the Land of Concrete on May 9 in the morning.
I have started to adapt (acclimated) to the air and milieu in Hong Kong. Including the aroma. It is destined to meet friends who are on duty at the RI representative office (KJRI). Old friends who met in Cairo and fellow members of Perhati (Chinese Alumni Association).
Da'wah is both a duty and a mandate. Anywhere, anytime! No postpone. No excuses. When I became comfortable in Hong Kong, I was asked to go to Macau.
The Indonesian Diaspora in Macau urgently needs it as soon as possible. Friday, after Maghrib (10/5/2019) I packed. That night a volunteer (volunteer DD) from Macau will pick you up. The previous night DDHK had sent dai there, but there were obstacles at immigration. There is a new rule, you must bring 5000 Hong Kong dollars in cash.
In a few minutes, I am ready. We depart from Hong Kong at 23:50 using ground transportation. Take the bus numbered A11. From Hong Kong to the Hong Kong-Zuhai-Macau Bridge (HZMB) border it will take about one hour to the border. Then from the border to Macau we took it for about 35 minutes. I am happy to see the longest bridge in the world. I video it.
A bridge that combines the latest technology and extraordinary modern architectural art. We also pass underwater tunnels. That time I usually sleep. But I don't want to lose this rare moment. Once upon time.
Alhamdulillah, I was able to get through immigration well. Without a hitch. Not even being asked anything. From Macau to the destination, it is only about 15-20 minutes by taxi. We arrived in Macau at 02:30 in the morning (11/5).
Arrive at the flat, Majlis Taklim Indonesia Macau (MATIM) secretariat at 02:50. Continue sahur, Fajr prayer in congregation, and cult, as far as I can remember. That is why he has to be ready, not just mentally. But physically even financially. Bil amwal wal anfus (struggling with wealth & soul), to borrow the term scripture.
Ramadan Mosaic in the Land of Gambling
For a week, I have not come across Macau residents who are Muslim. In the city where I live, I just found one mosque. The mosque is also small, with very minimal capacity. In Indonesia it is the same as mushalla-mushalla at the gas station.
Although small, this mosque is the center of activity for Muslim migrants from various countries. Including for Friday. The mosque is managed by Pakistani Muslim migrants. This mosque received financial support from the Kuwaiti Muhsinin.
Every Sunday, Indonesian people, from various backgrounds: professionals, semi-professionals, and Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) also flock to this mosque. Some just want to meet fellow Indonesians, some are i'tikaf, or just want to get fresh air or atmosphere, because it is located on the edge of a lake.
PMI women (the Association of Indonesian Muslimahs in Macau) usually hold a Qur'anic assembly - there is tahsin and just learning the Koran - recitation and iftar together. The event starts from 10:00 AM to 14:00 PM. After that, it was continued with tausiyah from Dai Ambassador. After that, a question and answer session and counseling was opened until the Maghrib call to prayer was announced. Followed by breaking the fast together. This activity was attended by members of various existing taklim majlis: MATIM, Halimah, Halaqah, Ersyad, and others.
Last week there was a preacher from Myanmar, and a hafiz from Indonesia who was invited by the ta'mir of the Pakistani mosque specifically to become the imam of the Tarawih prayer. Syeikh Abdul Hamid and Ustadz Ersa. Both were embraced by Dai Ambassador. He was invited to jointly complete the Islamic study in front of the Indonesian Muslim women from Macau. The event was lively and enthusiastically followed by Muslim women.
For daily activities, DDHK's Dai Ambassador filled the entire Ramadhan series: Starting with the Shubuh dhikr congregation, Shubuh worship, breaking fast together, Isya 'congregation, Tarawih traveling, and also cult after Tarawih.
What is unique here, Isya 'and Tarawih start at 23:00, and usually finish at 01:00 or 30 minutes later. It depends on which majlis taklim and depends on how many questions the congregation asks.
Tarawih went around from one majlis taklim to another. The Dai Ambassador must be in good physical condition. Set a rest time. Including, controlling the time, diet and type of food to be consumed. Because, the congregation always provides a variety of foods / culinary delights that are tempting.
Dai is required to be able to refrain from eating and drinking, not only during the day, but also at night after Tarawih. Including maintaining the view, because the congregation 99 point zero percent are women. []
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Sukron Makmun, Dai Ambassador Dompet Dhuafa for Hong Kong & Macau.
Written on Saturday, 11 May and finished on Saturday 18 May 2019
