Historian reveals peaceful conversion of Kutai Kingdom from Hinduism to Islam

Samarinda (ANTARA) - East Kalimantan historian Muhammad Sarip has recounted how the inclusive preaching approach exemplified by the Islamic scholar Tuan Tunggang Parangan successfully transformed the Kutai Kingdom from a Hindu monarchy to Islam peacefully in centuries past.

“This decision marked the beginning of a new era for Kutai Kertanegara, as Islam became the official religion of the kingdom with an inclusive and accommodative religious character that championed inter-faith tolerance,” Sarip said in Samarinda on Sunday.

He explained that the historical turning point of civilisation along the banks of the Mahakam River began around 1575, when the preacher first set foot in the Tepian Batu area.

Sarip recounted that Raja Makota, who led the government at the time, extended a warm welcome and openly accepted the new teachings without any coercion.

“The influence of this cultural shift was also reflected in the bestowing of names with Islamic nuances upon the crown princes, such as Maharaja Sultan and Raja Mandarsyah,” he said.

Long before arriving in Borneo, the religious figure had in fact agreed upon a division of cross-island preaching duties with another religious leader named Datuk Ri Bandang.

The collaboration of these scholars initially targeted the Tanete Sultanate region in South Sulawesi to ease social tensions arising from differing religious understandings.

The pressing circumstances compelled Tuan Tunggang Parangan to cross the Makassar Strait alone in order to continue his mission of spreading monotheistic teachings to the Old Kutai Port.

Given the magnitude of the scholar’s legacy amid the dynamics of this history, Sarip noted, the local government has undertaken the restoration of his tomb complex at a cost of one billion rupiah.

The revitalisation project aims to transform the final resting place of the scholar into a fully integrated religious tourism, cultural, and historical destination.