MALUKU — That afternoon, the sun carried out its role very well. The scorching heat is abundant on the Buano plain, one of the islands in Maluku. The abundant sun exposure makes Maluku a fertile location for spice-producing plants, especially nutmeg and cloves. No wonder the Moluccans are often called the Spice Islands.
However, exposure to the scorching sun for most of the year caused the residents of Buano to experience drought, so they had to drink salty water to meet their daily needs. Rain is not only a gift but also a blessing for them. Because only by utilizing rainwater can they consume fresh water. Therefore, many Buano residents make rainwater reservoirs around their homes to provide water for daily needs.
The Sweet Ending of Buano Residents’ Long Wait
But now they have received good news. The reason is Dompet Dhuafa presents and inaugurates Waqf Wells at two locations, precisely in South Buano Village and North Buano Village, Huamual Back District, West Seram Regency, Maluku on Thursday (20/7/2023).
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The Dompet Dhuafa team was greeted with “Kapata,” Buano’s signature welcome song. According to local tradition, the song contains prayers of kindness and salvation for guests. In addition, representatives of the Dompet Dhuafa Team were also honoured as “Haji Tatai,” a traditional Buano necklace made of flowers, eucalyptus leaves, and nuts.
The Dompet Dhuafa Team, local community leaders, and Buano residents, who seemed enthusiastic, attended the event. The inauguration was opened by beating drums and traditional Buano dances that represent the philosophy of life of the Buano people.
Bakri Tambepessy, Program Team of Dompet Dhuafa Maluku, said that fresh and clean water has been a dream for all people of North Buano and South Buano since decades ago due to the clean water crisis.
“That brackish water in the mouth tastes salty. The stomach also feels heavy,” Bakri said.
A Series of Efforts to Get Clean Water
Before the Waqf Well was present, according to Bakri, each child in the two hamlets had to fetch water in the middle of the forest by carrying four containers.
“Approximately weighing 20 kg if all conductors are filled with full water,” he explained emotionally.
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Presenting a source of fresh and clean water in Buano, Maluku, is a challenging thing. Previously, a series of efforts were made to find clean and fresh water, and they bore fruit. Bakri stated that at least two efforts have been made to obtain clean and fresh water sources.
The first attempt was to harness the earth’s gravity by organizing from a water source on a hill as far as 7 km, but it failed. The second attempt was an erroneous assessment of the location of a well drilling by an institution, but only drained water for three weeks.
“It’s also dirty, cloudy water, so it’s unsuitable for consumption. It ended up being abandoned,” said Bakrie.
The King of South Buano, Frangky Nusaaly, expressed his gratitude for the presence of the Waqf Well in South Buano. The differences strengthen the people of Buano to help each other.
“United we stand, divided we fall. We need to maintain the existence of this waqf well together so that all residents can feel the benefits,” he said.
The King of North Buano, Ahmad Nurlette, also expressed the same thing. He expressed gratitude for the presence of the Waqf Well in North Buano.
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“Alhamdulillah, we follow the example of the prophet’s companions in the form of waqf wells in our beloved village,” he said.
The two Kings also thanked Dompet Dhuafa for distributing the Waqf Well Program in Buano. They also agreed to maintain the clean water source and be used as widely as possible for all Buano people so that all Buano residents no longer consume brackish water.
Waqf as a strategic instrument to unravel problems
The Head of the Dompet Dhuafa Maluku Branch, La January, was also present at the inauguration of the Waqf Well. He said that this Waqf Well was thanks to the prayers of Buano residents as well as kindness to donors who entrusted their trust to Dompet Dhuafa.
“Alhamdulillah, within six months, this waqf well will be completed,” he said.
He also said that Islamic financial instruments, namely waqf, could develop Maluku by alleviating various problems, including limited clean water.
“This Waqf Well is an offering from donors for the community to be used as widely as possible. The endowment must be eternal, so we must guard it together,” La January said.
At the beginning of Ramadan, representatives of Dompet Dhuafa Pusat also expressed gratitude for realizing the Waqf Well in Maluku. He appealed to continue to echo waqf and apply it as a lifestyle to help others. In addition, waqf is also rewarding for those who fulfill it.
“Hold the principal, flow the benefits, that’s waqf,” he said.
The inauguration ceremony was then closed with a joint prayer. After that, the audience enjoyed a meal and ate together by chatting, talking about the presence of the Waqf Well that had been eagerly awaited. (Dompet Dhuafa/Waqf/Hafiz)