AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS — Ustaz Sukron Makmun is one of the representatives of Dai Ambassador Dompet Dhuafa 2023, who is assigned to preach to the Windmill Country, the Netherlands. After a few days of living in the Netherlands, Ustaz Sukron shared his extraordinary da’wah experience. He gained this experience at the Masjid Persatuan Pemuda Muslim Eropa (PPME) Al-Ikhlash, the Netherlands.
PPME Al-Ikhlash is an Indonesian Muslim community in Europe whose members are diasporas in European countries. According to Ahmad Karim, one of the doctoral students in Anthropology from Indonesia who studied at the University of Amsterdam, this PPME was initiated by the former 4th President of the Republic of Indonesia, KH Abdurrahman Wahid, aka Gus Dur.
PPME Al-Ikhlash also has its mosque established at Jan van Gentstraat 140, 1171 GN, Badhoevedorp, Netherlands. This mosque has regular activities for worshippers, where one is learning tahsin Qur’anic. According to Ustaz Sukron Makmun’s records, every time after Asar, Indonesian diasporas of various ages, men and women, participate in tahsin Qur’an activities at the PPME Al-Ikhlash Mosque.
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The activity involves learning how to read the Qur’an correctly and tartil, tajweed, makhariju letter, waqaf-washal and others. This activity usually finishes two or three minutes before the Maghreb call to prayer. After the Qur’an tahsin activity, an iftar event was held with the mosque congregation.
Similar to Maidaturrahman in Egypt, open together at PPME Al-Ikhlash Mosque is not only attended by the Indonesian community who live in Amsterdam and its surroundings. But also followed by several Muslims from the Netherlands, Suriname (Latin America), Pakistan, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Turkey and Muslims from various Arab countries such as Morocco, Yemen, and Palestine.
Although the Turkish community in the Netherlands has a mosque, few prefer to open together and pray congregations or tarawih at the PPME Al-Ikhlash Mosque. Seeing this fact, a question arose in Ustaz Sukron Makmun’s mind, namely why did they choose Al-Ikhlash Mosque? The answer is quite moving.
“Indonesians are very Welkom (Dutch) to their guests,” admitted one of the congregation.
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On Thursday (30/3/2023), there was a special moment at Al-Ikhlash Mosque which is quite rare. A foreign national named Vince Rapan expressed his intention to convert to Islam to the manager of Al-Ikhlash Mosque, Harold Pardjo.
On that perfect occasion, the Dai Ambassador of Dompet Dhuafa 2023, assigned by the Netherlands, Sukron Makmun, became one of the people trusted to help Vince Rapan Shahada. The mosque asked Sukron Makmun to guide the sacred procession.
After the procession of the Shahada pledge, the congregation of mothers then asked the Rapan a question regarding the reason why choosing Islam? Rapan also welcomed the questions of the congregation of mothers and answered the questions sincerely using Dutch.
“I come from an Islamic family but have never followed Islamic policies. I was busy with worldly life but was not happy. I was looking for peace and didn’t know where to look. Until my uncle introduced me to Islam. Only then did I feel happy and rested,” said Rapan.
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Ustaz Sukron Makmun then reconfirmed the answer to the PPME administrator, Ade Sinaga. He confirmed Rapen’s answer that he wanted to convert to Islam to learn and deepen Islam.
“It just so happens that the reason is that I don’t know the details. It seems right to want to learn Islam. Usually, if you convert (mualaf) to other Muslims, the motive can be because you want to get married, become a convert (mualaf) and others,” Ade replied.
Coaching Converts (Mualaf)
So, how is Rapen’s next life after converting to Islam? Does the Al-Ikhlash Mosque’s management guide converts (mualaf) in Amsterdam and surroundings?
According to the Al-Ikhlash Mosque Team, PPME Al-Ikhlashh already has a group of converts. They facilitate converts (mualaf) by holding classes in the first and third weeks, starting at 13.00-16.00 local time. The classroom is on the 2nd floor, PPME Al-Ikhlash Building. Usually, converts (mualaf) are immediately directed to attend the conversion class under Abdurrahman Mittendorp.
Ustaz Sukron also hopes that converts (mualaf) who have pledged their Islam can be istiqamah in their religion and faith. In addition, he also hopes that in the future the PPME Al-Ikhlash Amsterdam conversion class program can be synergized, and collaborate with the Dompet Dhuafa Jakarta Conversion Center programs. This is done so that the contribution to realizing Islam rahmatan lil alamin is more real. (Dompet Dhuafa/Sukron Makmun/Ronna)