KH Noer Ali, the Lion of Karawang-Bekasi

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The name of this legendary ulama is particularly renowned among the Betawi community. He is KH Noer Ali. The man born in Bekasi on 15 July 1914 has been a National Hero since 2006. The preacher, who passed away on 29 January 1992, was famous with the nickname “Lion of Karawang-Bekasi.” The book Genealogi Intelektual Ulama Betawi (2011) explains that KH Noer Ali was born in Ujung Malang (now named Ujung Harapan), Bekasi, West Java. His family made a living from farming. His father was H Anwar bin Layu, while his mother was Hj Maemunah. From a young age, Noer Ali had a passion for delving into religious sciences. Entering his teenage years, Noer Ali went to Kampung Cipinang Muara, Klender (East Jakarta). His aim was to gain knowledge from Guru Marzuqi. At the age of 20, Noer Ali, together with KH Hasbullah, went to the Holy Land to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. He also used this opportunity to continue studying religious sciences. They departed with funding support from Wat Siong. Before setting off to Mecca, both were advised by Guru Marzuqi to seek out and study with Syekh Ali al-Maliki while in the Holy Land. In Haramain, Noer Ali also received teachings from many prominent figures. For example, Syekh Umar Hamdan, a teacher of Kutub as-Sittah; Syekh Ahmad Fatoni, an ulama from southern Thailand, who taught the book Iqna on fiqh; and Syekh Muhammad Amin al-Quthbi, who taught Arabic grammar and logic. Outside of class, Noer Ali was no different from most seekers of knowledge from the Nusantara in the Holy Land. They focused on the issue of colonialism that still afflicted much of the Muslim ummah, including in the homeland. Through letters received from his parents, he gained insights into the latest developments in the independence struggle in the homeland. In Arabia, Noer Ali was active in various organisations of Jawi (Malay) people, such as the Perhimpunan Pelajar-pelajar Indonesia (PPII), Persatuan Talabah Indonesia, Perhimpunan Pelajar Indonesia-Malaya, and Persatuan Pelajar Betawi.