Congregants from across Aceh join Ramadan suluk worship for 1447 Hijri
Banda Aceh (ANTARA) — Congregants from various districts across Aceh province are taking part in the Ramadan suluk worship for 1447 Hijri/2026 CE, centred at Dayah Darul Aman in Gampong Lampuuk Tungkop, Darussalam sub-district, Aceh Besar regency.
The chairman of the Dayah Darul Aman Foundation, Tgk Saifullah, said on Sunday in Aceh Besar that the suluk worship at the pesantren is held every holy month of Ramadan. This year’s participants number in the dozens, hailing from various regencies and cities across Aceh province.
“We hold suluk worship every year during the fasting month of Ramadan. This year, 64 people have joined the suluk congregation. That number is down from last year, when it reached around a hundred,” he said.
According to him, the decline in suluk worshippers is due to the impact of hydrometeorological disasters that struck parts of Aceh province in late November 2025.
“Some of the congregants who regularly take part in suluk worship were themselves victims of the disasters — some had their homes swept away by floods, others were buried in mud,” he said.
“Suluk worship is a form of spiritual purification, in which congregants engage in silent remembrance of God to attain inner peace and closeness to Allah SWT. The suluk worship is carried out throughout the holy month of Ramadan,” said Tgk Saifullah.
He said participation in suluk worship is not restricted by age. Anyone may take part. Typically, suluk congregants are predominantly individuals aged over 50, both men and women. However, young people, including university students, also participate.
Tgk Saifullah noted that suluk congregants at Dayah Darul Aman are not permitted to consume food containing fat, meat, or similar items, as these are believed to heighten base desires.
“So, during suluk worship, congregants eat only vegetables — essentially following a vegetarian diet. This is to avoid emotional disturbances that could affect congregants during their suluk devotion,” said Tgk Saifullah.
Suluk began to develop in Aceh in the 1970s, brought by the cleric Abuya Sjech Muda Waly Al Khalidi. The practice was subsequently spread by students of Abuya Sjech Muda Waly to various parts of the province known as the Veranda of Mecca.