REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANJAR -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) started his working visit in South Kalimantan by attending the 13th death anniversary (haul) of charismatic Muslim scholar Muhammad Zaini bin Abdul Ghani. The event was held at Musala Ar-Raudhah, Kelurahan Sekumpul, Martapura, Banjar district, on Sunday (March 25).
It took 30 minutes for Jokowi and his entourage to get to Jl Ahmad Yani from the hotel by car. They had to walk about one kilometre to Musala Ar-Raudhah, the place where Muhammad Zaini used to preach.
The President mingled with 1.2 million of people who attended the haul of Muhamad Zaini. At around 18:00 Central Indonesia Standard Time, they performed congregational Maghrib prayers led by ustaz Sa'dudin.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) attends the 13th death anniversary of Kiai Haji Muhammad Zaini Bin Abdul Ghani or Abah Guru Sekumpul at Kelurahan Sekumpul, Banjar district, South Kalimantan, on Sunday (March 24).
The haul continued by recitation of the Qur'anic verses and prayers and closed it by performing congregational Isya prayer.
Muhammad Zaini bin Abdul Ghani died on August 10, 2005 at the age of 63. He was a charismatic and popular preacher in Kalimantan, especially in South Kalimantan. People used to call him "Guru Sekumpul".
President Joko Widodo (blue suit) attends the 13th death anniversary of Kiai Haji Muhammad Zaini Bin Abdul Ghani or Abah Guru Sekumpul at Kelurahan Sekumpul, Banjar district, South Kalimantan, on Sunday (March 24).
Muhammad Zaini bin Abdul Ghani al-Banjari was born in Tunggul Irang, Martapura, South Kalimantan, on February 11, 1942. He produced many writings, among others Risalah Mubarakah, Manaqib Asy-Syekh As-Sayyid Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Qadiri Al-Hasani As-Samman Al-Madani, Ar-Risalatun Nuraniyah fi Syarhit Tawassulatis Sammaniyah, and Nubdzatun fi Manaqibil Imamil Masyhur bil Ustadzil azham Muhammad bin Ali Baalawy.
The haul was also attended by two sons of Guru Sekumpul, namely Muhammad Amin Badali, 23, and Ahmad Hafi Badali, 22.
President Joko Widodo (blue suit) attends the 13th death anniversary of Kiai Haji Muhammad Zaini Bin Abdul Ghani or Abah Guru Sekumpul at Kelurahan Sekumpul, Banjar district, South Kalimantan, on Sunday (March 24).
One of resident, Mansyur, said the death anniversary of Guru Sekumpul has always been crowded. He has attended the haul several times and this year he came along with families and friends. "Guru Sekumpul belongs to the whole Banjar people and we remember his well mannered," the 44-years old said.
Another Banjarmasin resident, Muhammad Yusi, also shared the same impression. He listened to Guru Sekumpul's sermon for many times and he loved it. "It was very soothing," he said.