NORTH SUMATRA — Before the feeling of being tossed around on a boat was gone, the North Sumatra Qurbani Animal Distribution (THK) team was faced with a winding mountain road. On the second day of the qurbani distribution, Tuesday (6/18/2024), THK distribution targeted the Muslim minority in the highlands of Barusjahe Village, Karo Regency, North Sumatra. This was an obstacle, but also an encouragement for the THK team.
Along the way to the slaughter location point, there are luxurious buildings with crosses on them. Those unfamiliar with the style of these buildings may think they are houses of worship, or houses. It turns out that it is the grave mounds of Batak people with high social status. Almost every ten meters of the journey, there are tombs with similar tombs, both on the right and left of the road.
“In the land of Karo, Muslims are indeed a minority. Maybe only 20 percent are Muslims. Some of them are immigrants,” said Ustaz Pengky, Corp Dai Dompet Dhuafa (Cordofa) who was assigned there.
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The presence of qurbani in Barusjahe has strengthened the warm relations between religious communities. It also symbolizes the social value of qurbani performed by Muslims around the world every year. Qurbani meat is not only distributed to those of the same faith, but also to those of different faiths. But of course, the main priority is people who belong to the lower middle class, or underprivileged.
Although there are graves with luxurious tombs along the road, there is a severe inequality behind them. That is another social reason THK Dompet Dhuafa is present in this village, in addition to strengthening the faith of converts, it also strengthens good relations across religions.
The nearly 400-kilogram cow had arrived earlier in the day. The community was so enthusiastic waiting for the cow sent from Dompet Dhuafa’s donors to be slaughtered and then enjoy the fresh red meat.
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The red meat has been separated from the bones. It’s time to start packaging in the form of parcels in banana leaves. This is done as part of Dompet Dhuafa’s commitment to reducing plastic waste. In addition to using banana leaves because they are so easily found in gardens, this is also very easy to decompose and can even become compost that blends with the soil.
The distance between residents’ houses is the next obstacle. Most of the houses of THK’s target beneficiaries here are far from the road. Some are even in the middle of plantations. So much so that one might have difficulty distinguishing whether it is a house or just a wide hut.
Some of the qurbani meat packages were delivered by Chiki Fawzi to Josa Efendi Tarigan (27). The Langkat-born man lives in a simple house among the locals’ gardens. The bamboo house is not very big, but it is inhabited by a dozen people with four heads of families.
“What do you want to cook later, sir?” Chiki asked Josa.
“Rendang. It will last for the next few days,” replied the man who had been converted to Islam.
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As the conversation progressed, Josa confessed that he was a convert to Islam. He had migrated to the Land of Cherry Blossoms, where he became enlightened and became interested in Islam. After returning to his hometown, he moved to Barusjahe and got married. Luckily, she met Ustaz Pengky, who agreed to become a follower of the Prophet Muhammad. With great determination, he surrendered by saying the two sentences of the creed as proof of his obedience to Allah and the Prophet Muhammad.
Josa’s daily routine is farming chili peppers, tomatoes and corn. Sometimes he also works as a laborer in other people’s fields. In between, he always takes the time to join the recitation with Ustaz Pengky, which is wiridan every Friday night, or on other special days. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photo: Riza Muthohar
Editor: Dhika Prabowo