Former Feared Gangster Hercules Now Builds Mosques, Astonishes Cleric Gus Miftah

Behind the fierce and cruel image that once clung to Hercules Rosario de Marshall, the former legendary gangster of Tanah Abang is now said to have a noble habit that has surprised many.

Hercules is not a stranger to the Indonesian public. He was known as one of the most feared gangsters in Jakarta during the 1990s. His reputation in the criminal underworld was so notorious that merely hearing his name made people shudder.

As time passed, Hercules chose to leave his dark life behind. He converted to Islam and became active in preaching and social activities. His appearance has also changed, now often seen wearing a traditional cap, and he is known as a polite figure.

Preacher Gus Miftah revealed another side of Hercules that is rarely known to the public. According to Gus Miftah, his own preaching activities in nightlife and red-light districts once led to threats from local gangsters. This experience reminded him of Hercules.

‘I have a big gangster friend in Jakarta, the gangster of Tanah Abang,’ said Gus Miftah. ‘What’s his name? Hercules.’

Gus Miftah acknowledged Hercules’s immense influence, stating the former gangster once had 1 million members in the Jabodetabek area. However, it was not his power that amazed Gus Miftah, but the pious deeds Hercules undertook after his repentance.

According to Gus Miftah, the chairman of GRIB Jaya has built many mosques. He views this act of constructing houses of worship as an extraordinary form of faith.