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Where to find muslim expats community in Jakarta?

Recently I wrote an article about Rahmania Foundation in Karet, Central Jakarta. They have a weekly gathering, on Thursdays after maghrib prayer, for english-speaking people wish to learn the Quran.

The gathering was named ‘English Quranic Studies’, and perhaps one of the very few available gatherings for muslim expats in Jakarta.

I met a woman named Cary, 27, at the gathering. She was from Oklahoma and converted to Islam in 2001. Funny enough, she learned about Rahmania Foundation when she was in Oklahoma (from Indonesian muslim society there).

Cary brought her two children, Jasmine (5) and Nayla (2) to the gathering. You’re allowed to do that. In fact, you’re encouraged to bring your family, ‘coz the atmosphere was very-very informal. Everyone sits on the floor, listen to the ustadz (preacher) speaking in English, while the children usually play around.

I also talked to the ustadz, Rikza Abdullah, 56, a former reporter of the daily english newspaper The Jakarta Post. He graduated from IKIP Jogja, majoring in english. I was surprised to learn that Rikza was a hafidz (an arabic term, meaning someone who’s able to memorize all verses in the Al Quran).

To be frank, it’s not easy to find a hafidz in Jakarta, or in Indonesia, these days. Why? Because many muslims (including me) believe that it takes a pure heart to memorize all verses in the Quran. The more you commit a sin, it’s very likely that the more you will forget verses you’e have memorized.

(In my hometown, villagers naturally have deep respect for hafidz)

I was even more surprised to learn that Rikza was the elder son of KH. Abdullah Umar, a famous Islamic scholar in Semarang, Central Java. For more than 30 years, KH Abdullah Umar was an ustadz at Kauman Mosque, Semarang, teaching Quranic interpretation to villagers.

KH Abdullah Umar (he passed away in 2004) was also a well-known hafidz. He chaired Tahfidzul Quran traditional islamic boarding school (aka pesantren) in Kauman, which is famous since many of its graduates are hafidz.

I phoned Rikza again after we parted, and just like I thought, he was fully trained in the pesantren tradition. He also could read Kitab Kuning (arabic books mostly used in pesantren, very difficult to read ‘unless you speak Arabic)

“I speak Arabic first, then I learn english. ,” said Rikza. “And after I speak Arabic, I found English was easier,” he added.

I think it’s very advantageous for muslim expats to have such a qualified ustadz at the gathering. You will find Rahmania’s address in the link above. Their phone number is also available.

About my article? Well, I dont wanna discuss anything about my article right now. It will be published on Gatra special edition (on 24th Sept) to commemorate The Idul Fitri. One thing is sure. The article is much more interesting that the simple facts I wrote here.