400th Anniversary of Sheikh Yusuf Enters UNESCO Agenda, AMSY Proposes Feature Film
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANTEN – The commemoration of the 400th anniversary of Sheikh Yusuf Al-Makassari has officially entered the agenda of the international organisation UNESCO. The story of his struggle is also being discussed as a potential feature film.
“This recognition serves as proof of the historical significance of the scholar-fighter on the world stage of civilisation,” said Culture Minister Fadli Zon when opening the event at the Former Banten Sultanate Area, Tuesday, 28 April 2028. The proposal to include it in the UNESCO agenda was submitted last year and is now part of the global agenda.
According to him, Sheikh Yusuf is an extraordinary figure with a record of struggle across geographies, from the land of Banten, Batavia, Sri Lanka, to the southern tip of the African continent in Cape Town.
“In South Africa, Sheikh Yusuf is not just a religious figure, but also a symbol of resistance against racist Apartheid politics,” he stated.
The Ministry of Culture is currently pioneering the construction of the Sheikh Yusuf Museum in Cape Town, which will also function as an Indonesian Cultural House. This strategic plan has reportedly received direct approval from President Prabowo Subianto to strengthen Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy abroad.
In addition to physical construction, Fadli emphasised the importance of reviving literacy related to Sheikh Yusuf’s thoughts. He encouraged the publication of the works of the Murshid and supported the idea of making a feature film so that his exemplary values can be easily accessed by the current generation.
Idea for Making a Sheikh Yusuf Film
The idea for making a feature film was directly conveyed by the Chairman of the Youth Wing of Sheikh Yusuf Al-Makassari (AMSY), Arief Rosyid Hasan, after reading the Declaration of Youth Support as a commitment to revive Sheikh Yusuf’s values of struggle amid contemporary challenges.
“This 400th anniversary commemoration is an important momentum that is not only ceremonial but also reflective. Therefore, we propose making a Sheikh Yusuf film for the big screen as part of the movement to ground the values inherited to the younger generation,” he said.
In his statement, Arief affirmed that Sheikh Yusuf is a figure who presents an important synthesis between spirituality and activism.
“Sheikh Yusuf is an exemplar of activism-spiritualism. Awareness of God does not make him distant from reality, but rather drives him to continue doing the best and making great contributions to civilisation,” said Arief.
This former General Chairman of PB HMI 2013-2015 stated that Sheikh Yusuf is a great figure of the Archipelago not only known as a scholar, but also a humanitarian fighter and a symbol of resistance against injustice and oppression.
“His thoughts and struggles transcend geographical boundaries, reaching various regions such as Banten, Makassar, to South Africa, emphasising universal values like justice, tolerance, spirituality, and the unity of humanity,” he said.
In the current context, Arief continued, the younger generation faces major challenges in the form of identity crises, social polarisation, and the weakening of diversity values. Therefore, strategic efforts are needed to re-instill the noble values inherited by Sheikh Yusuf through relevant and inspirational approaches.
Furthermore, he emphasised that Sheikh Yusuf’s legacy must not stop as mere historical notes. “The inherited values, from steadfast faith, courage to fight injustice, to commitment to humanity, must be revived in the lives of today’s younger generation,” he said.
This commemoration also strengthens the understanding that Sheikh Yusuf is a global figure whose influence transcends national borders. “The traces of his struggle from the Archipelago to South Africa make him an important symbol in Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy on the world stage,” said Arief.
This momentum also serves as an affirmation that the younger generation has a strategic role in bridging the legacy of the past with future needs.
In addition to Culture Minister Fadli Zon, attendees included Mizan Founder Haidar Bagir, representatives from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, representatives from the Banten Provincial Government, and several ambassadors from friendly countries.
The event runs from Tuesday, 28 April 2026, to Sunday, 2 May 2025, and also features speakers in a series of discussions, including Prof Oman Fathurrahman, Upi Asmaradhana, and Dr Musdalifah, PhD, who is the 10th-generation descendant of Sheikh Yusuf, enriching the discussions with perspectives on history, culture, and the relevance of Sheikh Yusuf’s values today.