MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Dompet Dhuafa’s Dai Ambassador for the Philippines, Ustaz Andi Triyawan, M.A., Ph.d., shared his experience when carrying out da’wah duties in the Land of Rice Barns. While in the Philippines, the Ustaz lived not far from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) complex in Manila. There, he found an interesting experience.
Ustaz Andi told us that at the Indonesian Embassy in Manila, every day there is an iftar event with the Filipino Muslim community during Ramadan 1445 H. The interesting thing is that the people who attend are not only from the Philippines, but also from India, Bangladesh, and the Middle East.
‘Last week, the Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines (also) took the time to attend, Mr Agus Widjojo,’ said Ustaz Andi.
The menu of dishes presented at the iftar event was very varied and full of Indonesian specialities. The congregation’s favourite was nasi padang, ordered from the Indorasa restaurant located not far from the Indonesian Embassy in Manila. The flavour and form were very similar to Padang cuisine in Indonesia.
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‘A few days ago, the Indonesian Embassy served Indonesia’s favourite menu during iftar, which is banana and sweet potato compote,’ explained Ustaz Andi.
Most of the pilgrims who came from abroad were unfamiliar with this food. They thought it was the usual porridge in their respective countries. However, the taste and colour are completely different.
The number of participants who attended the iftar event at the Indonesian Embassy in Manila was around 100 people. The event was located on the first floor of the Embassy Building, precisely in the front hall. Although many of the participants were from the international community, they were still given the freedom to be in the embassy area and enter the hall. Every outside congregation who enters the Embassy area is required to wear a visitor cocard.
After breaking the fast, the congregation held Maghrib and Tarawih prayers on the 4th floor of Building B of the Indonesian Embassy. Each congregation can go through the stairs or lift. However, because there is only one lift, many pilgrims choose to use the stairs. This is because the queue to use the lift is separated between men and women.
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There was also the sight of a congregation from India bringing their two young children to join the iftar and Tarawih. The children looked very happy, they ran around the congregation’s activity area.
Previously, this event was routinely held, but was stopped due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the great desire of the congregation made the DKM management, chaired by Mr Didi Juardi, re-organise it again after Covid-19 subsided.
The Kultum was filled by one of Dompet Dhuafa’s Dai Ambassadors, Ustaz Andi Triyawan. The theme of the cultum that is carried every day is very varied. Although not long, the content of the cultum is full of spiritual content. According to Suparman, one of the staff of the Indonesian Embassy, the congregation was happy with the Tarawih cultum delivered by the Dompet Dhuafa Ambassador. The reason is, the cultum delivered by Ustaz Andi is not too short, but the content is very dense.
Andi Triyawan, Dompet Dhuafa Ambassador