RIAU ISLANDS — Ahead of the holy month of Ramadan 1444 H, Dompet Dhuafa seeks to distribute prayer packages to hard-to-reach locations, including small islands in the archipelago.
Eight days before the first taraweeh prayer in Ramadan, Wednesday (15/3/2023), the Dompet Dhuafa Team explored small islands in the Riau Islands. A total of 50 packages of prayer tools (paket alat salat) consisting of mukena, prayer mats, Al-Quran, cap, and sarongs were distributed gradually since Wednesday (15/3/2023).
The first location is Surau Nurul Iman on Mat Netherlands Island, Tangguh Village, Sekanak Raya Village, Belakang Padang District, Batam City. To arrive at this surau (where Muslims pray), the Dompet Dhuafa Team must take a small wooden boat for approximately 20 minutes from Pancung Sekupang Port Batam to Penawar Rindu Island, Belakang Padang District.
On Penawar Rindu Island, there are berths for small boats owned by fishermen to cross to Mat Island, Netherlands. At least, 5 minutes d to cross from Penawar Rindu Island to Mat Island, Netherlands.
Arriving at the location, the Dompet Dhuafa Team was warmly welcomed by Mr. Dede Karyatno, Chairman of RT 003/RW 004 and Mr. Cakri, Imam Surau Nurul Iman.
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Mat Netherlands Island (Pulau Mat Belanda) is one of 108 small islands in Belakang Padang District, Batam City. Besides being located on the country’s border, the island is also halfway between the Strait of Malacca and Singapore. The surrounding community also often refers to it as Pig Island.
In the Dutch colonial era, this area was famous as a place for pig suppliers. In addition, it is also a storage place and provider of commercial sex services. But now, people have turned into Muslims who work as seaweed producers.
“There are 83 families on this island. The majority have embraced Islam, only one person is non-Muslim,” said Mr. Dede.
While Mr. Cakri here is a migrant. He was born in Sulawesi and settled on Mat Island in the Netherlands in 1991. Since its arrival, this surau has existed and has undergone several restorations. He said, in addition to the five daily prayer activities, this activity in Surau is a landfill for children. But during Ramadan, routine activities increase, namely taraweeh and reading the Quran. As for Salat Id and Salat Friday, residents crossed to the mosque on Penawar Rindu Island.
“The need for prayer tools here is indeed lacking. Sometimes some don’t have prayer tools, yes, they just go to the surau. Especially mukena,” he explained the condition of residents.
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He continued, some Muslim brothers here live mediocre lives. So, sometimes some do not have mukena, either dirty or unsuitable. Mr. Cakri told him to go to surau and use mukena or other worship facilities in such conditions.
“Alhamdulillah, this is another addition from Dompet Dhuafa. Later, God willing, we will also give some personally, “he continued.
As for the Quran, he intended to place it in the surau. Because the need is indeed more for the activities of reciting landfill children. But it will be glad the Quran is given personally to citizens in need, including if someone has just tapped their heart to learn Islam. (Dompet Dhuafa/Muthohar)