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In Another World
[Indonesia] IN ANOTHER WORLD: Started on Ramadan 2006, construction of the Mutiara Hati Beriman Pesantren (Koran learning centre) has been temporarily stopped due to the onset of the 2007 fasting month and a lack of funds. The mosque is the brainchild of Iskandar Abdurrahman.
Abdurrahman (b. 1965), or Thio Yit Po, was born in Lampung, Sumatra, to a Hakha Chinese father and a Sundanese mother from Cirebon, west Java. His father was a Christian reverend who converted to Islam when Abdurrahman was ten after learning more about the religion. Abdurrahman converted in 1985 and went on the hajj in 1997. Since young, he lived in Chinese residential areas but studied in government schools. As such, he had both Chinese and pribumi (indigenous) friends. His father raised him as a Chinese son, encouraging him to do business and not to work for someone else. However, Abdurrahman seems more interested in education. His Bachelor degree was in Islamic Education. His Master was in Development Studies. To support himself, he came to Salatiga, central Java, in 1985 to work in a textile factory. Over the years, while he was in charge of quality control at the factory, his work as a kyai (religious teacher) grew. He eventually decided to build the pesantren.
The mosque is designed like a pagoda because he wants to remind the believers that they should learn and adopt different perspectives on religious and societal issues. It is also to illustrate the fact that there is Islamic architecture from China, says Abdurrahman. The mosque has five floors, referencing the five pillars of Islam. Apart from imparting religious knowledge, Abdurrahman hopes to incorporate lessons on business communication and entrepreneurship in his pesantren. At the same time, he aims to improve the living conditions of the residents beside the mosque through the setting up of cottage industries and a cooperative. While his plan sounds haphazard, Abdurrahman believes Allah will reward his positive attitude and hard work.
At around 7pm, residents around the mosque are seen performing Tarawih (non-obligatory evening prayers during the fasting month) led by the Islamic teacher.
Since then, construction of the pesantren has made further progress. Toilet facilities and one storey of guestrooms have already been built. Foundations for the upper floors of the mosque and classrooms for the santri (students of Islamic schools) have also been put in place.
In Another World
[Indonesia] IN ANOTHER WORLD: Started on Ramadan 2006, construction of the Mutiara Hati Beriman Pesantren (Koran learning centre) has been temporarily stopped due to the onset of the 2007 fasting month and a lack of funds. The mosque is the brainchild of Iskandar Abdurrahman.
Abdurrahman (b. 1965), or Thio Yit Po, was born in Lampung, Sumatra, to a Hakha Chinese father and a Sundanese mother from Cirebon, west Java. His father was a Christian reverend who converted to Islam when Abdurrahman was ten after learning more about the religion. Abdurrahman converted in 1985 and went on the hajj in 1997. Since young, he lived in Chinese residential areas but studied in government schools. As such, he had both Chinese and pribumi (indigenous) friends. His father raised him as a Chinese son, encouraging him to do business and not to work for someone else. However, Abdurrahman seems more interested in education. His Bachelor degree was in Islamic Education. His Master was in Development Studies. To support himself, he came to Salatiga, central Java, in 1985 to work in a textile factory. Over the years, while he was in charge of quality control at the factory, his work as a kyai (religious teacher) grew. He eventually decided to build the pesantren.
The mosque is designed like a pagoda because he wants to remind the believers that they should learn and adopt different perspectives on religious and societal issues. It is also to illustrate the fact that there is Islamic architecture from China, says Abdurrahman. The mosque has five floors, referencing the five pillars of Islam. Apart from imparting religious knowledge, Abdurrahman hopes to incorporate lessons on business communication and entrepreneurship in his pesantren. At the same time, he aims to improve the living conditions of the residents beside the mosque through the setting up of cottage industries and a cooperative. While his plan sounds haphazard, Abdurrahman believes Allah will reward his positive attitude and hard work.
At around 7pm, residents around the mosque are seen performing Tarawih (non-obligatory evening prayers during the fasting month) led by the Islamic teacher.
Since then, construction of the pesantren has made further progress. Toilet facilities and one storey of guestrooms have already been built. Foundations for the upper floors of the mosque and classrooms for the santri (students of Islamic schools) have also been put in place.