The call to prayer echoing from the mosque\u2019s minaret seems to\nperpetually remind the people of Samarinda that no heart is too hardened\nto receive divine guidance, and no village too dark to be illuminated by\nthe light of faith.<\/p>\n
Samarinda \u2014 In times past, a monument stood bearing a wealth of\nphilosophical stories. Its tale has transcended eras from generation to\ngeneration, laden with moral values, particularly as the building has\nendured and continues to be a thriving place of worship to this day.<\/p>\n
Such moral values are forever etched into the story behind the oldest\nhouse of worship in Samarinda. The Shirathal Mustaqiem Mosque serves as\nthe narrator in the tale of a vice-ridden village that transformed into\na centre of worship and civility for the people of the city known as\nKota Tepian.<\/p>\n
The area now known as Kampung Mesjid in Samarinda Seberang was, at\nthe close of the 19th century, far from a place of prayer. Oral\ntraditions passed down through generations recount that the area was\nonce a hotbed of moral turmoil.<\/p>\n
\u201cCockfighting, gambling, and various activities far removed from\nreligious values formed the lifeblood of daily existence for its\nresidents. This place was once a deeply entrenched vice district,\nsubmerged in the clamour of worldly desires,\u201d said Mazbar, chairman of\nthe Tourism Awareness Group for the Shirathal Mustaqiem Mosque in\nSamarinda, speaking at the mosque grounds.<\/p>\n
From these tales of the past, a miracle and the determination of a\nvisiting cleric gradually parted the dark fog, transforming a den of\nvice into a radiant centre of worship whose light still shines brightly\ntoday.<\/p>\n
This legend centres on a charismatic figure named Said Abdurachman\nbin Assegaf, also known by his title Pangeran Bendahara (Prince\nTreasurer). He was a nobleman, preacher, and Muslim merchant of Arab\ndescent from the Pontianak Sultanate in West Kalimantan.<\/p>\n
Sailing along the coast of Kalimantan and navigating its great\nrivers, his vessel eventually docked in the territory of the Kutai\nKartanegara ing Martadipura Kingdom.<\/p>\n
Initially, Samarinda Seberang was merely a stopover port and\ntemporary residence for Said Abdurachman. His purpose was purely\ncommercial \u2014 carrying trade goods and seeking a livelihood along the\nbustling Nusantara trade routes frequented by both foreign and local\nvessels.<\/p>\n
During his stay and direct interaction with the local population,\nSaid Abdurachman\u2019s inner eye perceived a reality that stirred his\nconscience. Behind the thick veil of vice that shrouded the village, he\nglimpsed a ray of hope. The cleric recognised that Samarinda Seberang\noccupied an extraordinarily strategic position \u2014 a vital artery of trade\nwith enormous potential as a centre for the dissemination and\npropagation of Islam in the land of Kutai.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis sincere intention to trade gradually gave way to a calling of\nthe soul. Said Abdurachman decided to settle permanently \u2014 no longer\nmerely to conduct commerce, but to develop Islamic propagation and\nscholarly learning among the community that had lost its way at that\ntime,\u201d said Mazbar.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-cleric-who-transformed-a-den-of-vice-into-samarindas-oldest-centre-of-worship-1771758917", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }