Maulid Nabi Tradition at Benda Kerep Islamic Boarding School in Cirebon Held Without Loudspeakers

Thousands of Muslims filled the grounds of the Benda Kerep Islamic boarding school in Harjamukti District, Cirebon City, to commemorate the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday on Tuesday (25/8). Visitors came not only from the Cirebon region but also from various areas outside the city, seeking to experience the solemnity of a tradition passed down through generations at the school.

The series of commemorations began on Monday evening with marhabanan prayers and the recitation of the Al-Barzanji. KH Aminudin, a community figure in Benda Kerep, explained that the evening prayer procession was led directly by local kiai who are descendants of the school’s founder, Mbah Sholeh.

“Throughout the night it was led by the kiai here. Then this morning it continued with marhabanan and the recitation of Al-Barzanji, followed by thousands of visitors, but led by kiai from outside the Benda Kerep boarding school,” said KH Aminudin.

One of the main distinctive features of Benda Kerep is the prohibition on the use of loudspeakers. All residents, whether in the old mosque or in houses from the upper to lower areas, follow the chanting of prayers simultaneously with their natural voices.

“Everyone joins in. So how beautiful the natural voices are without speakers. Starting from the old mosque to the residents’ houses,” Aminudin added. This tradition is maintained to preserve solemnity and traditional values that have been handed down for a long time.

In addition to the prayer rituals, another attraction of the Maulid commemoration in Benda Kerep is the tradition of sharing food using buckets. Every visitor participating in the marhabanan receives a small bucket complete with a lid containing rice, side dishes, cakes, fruits, and mineral water.

The buckets are provided through the self-help efforts of local residents. The spirit of sharing in this area is very high, with a single household able to provide up to a thousand buckets of food to be distributed to guests and worshippers in attendance.

KH Aminudin emphasised that this large-scale commemoration is not merely a ceremony, but a form of strengthening faith and proof of love for the Prophet Muhammad. Through this activity, the community is expected to gain wisdom and emulate the Prophet’s qualities in daily life.

“We hope that everyone who participates can gain wisdom and emulate the example of the Prophet. We grow to love him more and practise all his teachings and sunnah,” he concluded.