Pesantren Gemilang: Let the age be old, but not the Spirit

SUKABUMI, WEST JAVA — Dompet Dhuafa invited 26 donors to take part in the Gemilang Islamic Boarding School activity, which took place in Kampoong Hening, Cidahu Village, Sukabumi on February 25-27, 2023. This activity is the first program held by Dompet Dhuafa as an effort to pay attention to donors, especially those who are 50 years old and above. In addition, this is also a form of reactivation to create intimacy between donors and activities in Dompet Dhuafa.

“Participants were attended by people aged 50-70. For them, this boarding school is significant because it is an opportunity to position their hearts and perceptions of the nature of life and what must be achieved when they enter their old age. Dompet Dhuafa carries out this program as an awareness of our donors to achieve a quality life,” said Bobby Manulang, General Manager of Dompet Dhuafa Waqf Donor and Retail Services.

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During the three-day series of activities in Cidahu Village, participants seemed very enthusiastic about participating in session after session of the material that had been scheduled, such as congregational prayers, discussions, and so on, in an orderly and timely manner. Although the weather was very erratic and accompanied by a cold snap, their enthusiasm for learning was very high. Even the participants also played an active role in the existing discussion sessions.

In addition, they also seemed enthusiastic in the creative class to make Cocodama. This class aims to introduce participants closer to nature. Even in the Healing Massage session, one of the participants also participated in telling what was felt with emotion when participating in the session.

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“I feel like I can think calmly and thank myself for being able to get through what happened so far,” said one participant.

“For three days, there have been a lot of exciting activities. I also saw the participants’ enthusiasm even though they were old,” said Sofie Beatrix, the founder of Kampoong Hening, who also filled the event at the Mindful Breathing, Healing Massage, and creativity sessions with Cocodama.

Jamil Azzaini, a motivator who filled this event, also felt the participants’ enthusiasm. Jamil also appreciated the participants who still have extraordinary spirits even though they are 70.

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“I am grateful for being able to accompany the participants of the Gemilang Islamic Boarding School held by Dompet Dhuafa. They are elderly participants but have an extraordinary spirit of learning. Indeed, a person’s life is determined by the end. Therefore I hope that the participants of this Gemilang Pesantren will end their lives husnul khotimah. Because in their old age, some are 70 years old and use canes, they even pray by sitting in chairs, but they still have an extraordinary spirit of learning, which is a good sign,” said Jamil.

 Other speakers also felt the enthusiasm of the participants. The participants’ enthusiasm also made the speakers more enthusiastic, one of which was felt by Ustaz Ahmad Pranggono.

“Masya Allah, the participants are excited, even though it is night. It can be seen from the aura on their faces that they are very excited despite their ages. And that is also what excites me. Not only that, even when Maghrib and Isya are drizzling outside, they are still on fire because of their enthusiasm,” said Ustaz Ahmad Pranggono, who filled in the material Reaching the Life of Husnul Khatimah.

One of the participants of Pesantren Gemilang named, Ngadiyono (55), said that the material described in Pesantren Gemilang is exciting. There discussed many daily things that are often done, so it was significantly related to the participants

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“The material presented is elementary, and it’s something we do every day but never realize, for example, breathing. We are reminded again of what we are already doing. It was an exciting base material for those already in their golden age. From this material, this can be brought home to normal life and should be able to be applied sustainably,” said Ngadiyono.

Bobby Manulang also said, “We desire that they have a psychological and inner awareness that the essence of life is not just a matter of the world, but to prepare for our afterlife. Hopefully, this Gemilang Islamic Boarding School can bring together the spiritual development needs of donors with our desire to stay in touch,” he said.  (Dompet Dhuafa/Awalia R)