ROTE NDAO, NTT — “Allahu akbar allahu akbar allahu akbar… laa ilaa ha illallahu wallahu akbar ….” On Monday (17/06/2024) morning in Baa City, Rote Ndao Regency, faint echoes of takbir could be heard from the loudspeakers at the Christian Nehemia Dillak Football Field. Little by little, Muslims came from around the city, crowding the dry grassy field. Some were on foot, riding motorcycles, and buses. They came and became part of the Eid prayer held on Indonesia’s southernmost island, Rote Island.
Rote Ndao teaches us the meaning of religious moderation. The mosque and church, located in the center of the city, are not next to each other as is common, but separated by a football field, so they are opposite each other. Not coincidentally, the Qibla direction of the Eid prayer at that time actually pointed to the church on the west side. Various elements of the community helped maintain the solemnity of the Eid prayer, starting from sunrise until the preacher finished preaching.
Data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) in 2023 states that the population of people who follow Islam in Rote Ndao Regency is no more than 5% of the total 152 thousand population. This figure can explain that Muslims in Rote Ndao are a minority. However, despite being a minority, people can still freely celebrate Eid al-Adha by performing qurbani.
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Dompet Dhuafa has long made Rote Ndao Regency a distribution point for Tebar Hewan Kurban (THK). This year, Rote Ndao became the most distributed point for sacrificial animals, reaching 30 cows. This number is the highest compared to other cities and regencies in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
The same thing was also conveyed by Fahmi as Chairman of the THK Committee of Dompet Dhuafa East Nusa Tenggara.
“Rote Ndao Regency is the most distribution point of the Qurbani Animal Distribution in NTT. This number always increases from year to year,” he explained with a firm tone. The more sacrificial animals, the wider the impact of the good news that can be conveyed.
The animals sacrificed in the THK Program are distributed to many villages, one of which is Papela Village in East Rote District. This village received 9 cows and distributed them to 3 mosques that stand there.
Speaking of mosques, in Rote Ndao Regency as a whole there are only 11 mosques. The largest number of mosques is in Papela Village, the easternmost village on Rote Island that directly faces the Indian Ocean.
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Al-Bahri Mosque was one of the collaborators of the THK Program in distributing the qurbani animals with great excitement. Since the arrival of the cows, children have been running after the pickup truck that entered the village. The villagers immediately set up tents, laid out mats, and together slaughtered, butchered, chopped, and weighed the animals carefully. The scorching heat of the midday sun was not matched by their enthusiasm in celebrating Eid-ul-Adha.
“Honestly, we were surprised by the arrival of these cows. A few days before Eid al-Adha, there was only one cow, and that was from the Regional Government of Rote Ndao Regency. Now there are this many, masyaallah alhamdulillah,” said Ihsan Sobi’ain (49), Imam of Al-Bahri Mosque, gratefully.
Ihsan also prayed for the qurbani performers who have been willing to share happiness in his village.
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A total of 1,000 families received qurbani meat in Papela Village. Furthermore, the meat was delivered by Dompet Dhuafa NTT’s THK Team, Fahmi et al. to the beneficiaries. One of the THK beneficiaries was Mrs. Arti (53) and her family. She received 2 kg of beef wrapped in banana leaves.
“Today there is no side dish, we don’t even cook rice because we don’t have any, we don’t know what to do with this meat because we don’t have money to buy seasonings,” said Mrs. Arti (50) when asked by the THK Dompet Dhuafa NTT Team what the meat would be served with.
Not without reason, only once a year he and his family can taste meat. She mostly eats rice mixed with water and salt. Arti answered with a trembling voice, occasionally trying to wipe her eyes that were red from tears. For Arti, that day was like getting a special gift, making her long for Eid al-Adha every year.
Eid al-Adha is a reflection of servitude, seeking, waiting, and giving up. Like Prophet Ibrahim ‘alaihissalam who left Siti Hajar in the desert to fulfill His command. Siti Hajar looked for her husband by going up and down the hills, waiting with Ismail who was still a reddish baby. Then when he grew up, a revelation came down that Ismail was slaughtered. Prophet Ibrahim did so, solely because of his faith in Allah SWT.
All the stories of Prophet Ibrahim’s family are commemorated in the rites of Hajj and Sacrifice. A story that is commemorated sacredly every year that has been running for thousands of years. A noble story full of wisdom that leads Muslims in all parts of the world to long for Eid al-Adha. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Aryo Prasojo, Elfi Handayani
Editor: Ronna