DILI, TIMOR LESTE — The serene call to prayer was heard from the speakers of Soekarno Hatta International Airport, signalling that prayer time has entered. Worshippers are expected to immediately approach the mosque or musala around Terminal 3 of the airport. However, on Thursday (14/3/2024), four Dompet Dhuafa Ambassadors assigned to Timor Leste were unable to reach the nearest prayer place. This is because the boarding time has opened before the call to prayer and the aircraft take-off time is only a matter of minutes.
With a heavy heart, the call to prayer was passed while directing footsteps to the trunk that connects the airport building with the plane to Denpasar, Bali. Although they were unable to pray, the preachers already had wudu, as they could still use water for the Fajr prayer on the aircraft bench. The early morning flight had to be taken because the preachers were catching a connecting flight to Dili, Timor Leste at 09.30 WIT.
After landing safely in Denpasar at around 08:00 WIT, the preachers had to rush to find a place to check-in for the international flight. Because, the time is very narrow, only about 1 hour 30 minutes.
‘From here go out first, then turn right towards the international flight counter. You can take a golf cart,’ replied the domestic connecting flight counter officer when asked by the preachers.
Still in a confused atmosphere looking for a place to check-in for international flights, a preacher asked Ustaz Dede about taking luggage to be put back when checking in. The reason was, behind the boarding passes of the three preachers, there was only one preacher who wrote that his luggage was destined for Dili. Meanwhile, the other 3 preachers only wrote Denpasar.
This made three preachers whose baggage only reached Denpasar confused. The reason was that they were worried that the time available was not sufficient, and the possibility of a long queue to get a departure stamp. As the leader of the group, Ustaz Dede divided the tasks so that those who had written ‘Dili’ went first to continue the check-in process while looking for accurate information. Others waited for their luggage while making other efforts.
Behind the worry, an officer from the airline stated that if you only transit in Bali when at the initial airport, then the luggage will not come out in Bali, even though the writing on the back of the boarding pass does not have the word ‘Dili’. Suddenly the four of us breathed a sigh of relief, as there was no need to wait for the baggage to be checked out and take it to the international terminal check-in counter.
The journey from the domestic terminal to the international terminal was not so short. Several offices within the terminal area were passed. Such as the airport area police station, agricultural quarantine office, and others. After entering the international terminal building, the four preachers had to go to the 3rd floor. When they were on the 3rd floor, the word musala was clearly visible. This gives a good meaning that in Bali Airport, where the Muslim population is a minority, there are qualified facilities for Muslims.
The journey continued to the thrilling moment, the immigration desk before entering the plane.
‘First time in Dili?’ the officer asked Ustaz Dede.
‘Yes, sir,’ replied Ustaz Dede.
‘What for?’ asked the officer again.
‘Visiting friend,’ replied Ustaz Dede.
Indeed, Ustaz Dede will visit Ustaz Anwar Da Costa at the An-Nur Mosque in Dili.
‘How long?’ asked the officer.
‘29 days,’ replied the preachers.
‘Have you bought a return ticket?’ asked the officer.
‘Already, sir,’ replied Ustaz Dede while showing the return ticket from the mobile phone screen.
Ustaz Dede recounted that when the officer saw his mobile phone, he tried to smile as comfortably as possible, even though in his heart there was a strong storm of fear if he was not allowed to continue his journey. But thank God, the preachers’ passports were stamped, indicating that they passed the immigration check.
Read also: The Story of Dai Ambassador 2024: Ramadan in Incheon’s Al Anwar Mosque Surrounded by Churches
Upon arrival in Dili, the weather was cloudy and cold. The glass in the aircraft was dewy. When we got off the plane, the aircraft parking lot attendant invited us to take a photo in front of the Aerporto Internacional Presidente Nicolao Lobato reading, and the immigration officer was friendly and smiling. The baggage handlers were also friendly, and the customs officers followed the SOPs without being overbearing.
Next to the baggage claim area, Pandu from Pensosbud of the Indonesian Embassy in Dili was waiting for the preachers, along with two staff members of the Indonesian Embassy in Dili. They were escorted by the Indonesian Embassy’s Hi-Ace from the airport to An-Nur Mosque. Once the preachers arrived there, the Zuhr call to prayer was made, and they were able to pray Zuhr freely. They were also able to meet with the head of An-Nur, Abdurrahman Sigran, and Anwar Da Costa.
The four representatives of Dompet Dhuafa’s Dai Ambassadors were warmly welcomed in Dili, both with Timor Leste officials, with partners, and with the Indonesian Embassy in Dili who accompanied our duties in Timor Leste. For Ustaz Dede, this was a pleasant journey at the beginning of the da’wah task that will run during the month of Ramadan in Timor Leste.
Thursday, 14 March 2024
Dede Permana, Dompet Dhuafa’s Dai Ambassador