WEST JAVA — A seven-year-old boy huffed and puffed against his fear of being circumcised. From outside the room, the sound of his friends crying could be heard in his ears. For a moment, he still felt confident to fulfill his obligations as a Muslim. His power to hold back his tears was broken when his feet stepped into the circumcision room.
Carried by his parents, step by step, the child named Alfatih Gaida Purnama re-strengthened himself to approach the Free Health Services Team (LKC) Dompet Dhuafa, until he managed to lay his body on the mattress. Unfortunately, only one guardian was allowed to accompany Gaida. That’s when Muhammad Fadly’s role as a father was tested.
Momentarily hesitant, Gaida again wanted to confirm the trust that Muhammad Faisal, the circumciser, had in him. As an LKC team member who has circumcised many children, Faisal’s efforts to convince the patient would be successful. Assisted by Fadly, Faisal successfully carried out his duties well.
This moment was a mass circumcision program to welcome the month of Muharram 1446 Hijri. The program organized by LKC Dompet Dhuafa together with Majelis Taklim XL Axiata and the Majalengka Regency Social Service took place on Saturday (06/06/2024) at Gor Galuh Pakuan, Majalengka.
Not only Gaida, there are 49 other children who are the beneficiaries of this program. They are children who are classified as orphans or poor in the Majalengka area, West Java. In addition to getting free circumcision facilities, the beneficiaries also received school kits, certificates, medicines, and compensation.
“Alhamdulillah, in this distribution of zakat funds to enliven the month of Muharram through the organization of mass circumcision. The event went smoothly and I am very happy in this collaboration with Dompet Dhuafa. The enthusiasm of the residents remained enthusiastic even though in the morning the area around Majalengka was poured with rain. Unexpectedly, at the location, the community remained crowded and of course I am grateful to Dompet Dhuafa for collaborating to be able to work with the Social Service in Majalengka Regency,” said Director of Finance and Solution Majelis Taklim XL Axiata, Cartesius Nugroho.
Sure enough, the community was very enthusiastic about the mass circumcision. One child could be accompanied by an extended family. This turned out to be a tradition for the local community, where one family accompanied the child to be circumcised. This enthusiasm is also what energizes LKC Dompet Dhuafa in carrying out the circumcision process.
“Masha Allah, extraordinary. We on behalf of the Majalengka Regency Government are very grateful for this collaboration. If we don’t limit it, it will be overwhelming. Hopefully in the future it can still be carried out and help the community even more. We are currently also on fire for how we can provide services for the poor and dhuafa,” said the Head of Majalengka Regency Social Service, Iwan Dirwan.
Fadly, who works as a ketupat vegetable seller, had to close his shop for the sake of his son. Fadly, Gaida and his wife, Wulan Nuryani, were even willing to travel up to 30 minutes from their house to the circumcision location.
“I am happy that my son has been circumcised. Alhamdulillah, there is money for people who are less fortunate. Hopefully this event will continue to be held, for people who are less fortunate,” said Wulan. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Riza Muthohar, Ayu Nadia
Editor: Dhika Prabowo