BANGKOK, THAILAND — The Land of the White Elephant, that is the nickname attached to the country of Thailand. In addition, this country is also known as Muang Thai or Mueang Thai which means Thai Country. A country with a monarchy or kingdom system whose majority population is Buddhist.
This country is one of the 16 Dompet Dhuafa 2024 Dai Ambassador assignment countries. There were 31 dai, consisting of 28 dai and 3 daiyah who were dispatched. Two of them were assigned to preach in the State of Thai. They are Ustaz Novi Maulana Yusup, Lc., M.Pd. and Ustaz Zulfirman, SIQ.
Ustaz Novi Maulana Yusuf said he was very happy because he passed the Dompet Dhuafa 2024 Dai Ambassador selection.
Read also: Dai Ambassador 2024’s story: Bunbury City has a perfect Ramadan worship atmosphere
‘Initially, I received information regarding this recruitment around October 2023. Then after going through several stages, administrative selection, recitation ability test and interview, finally my name was listed on the announcement flyer on the @cordofa_dd Instagram homepage,’ said Kang Opie, Ustaz Novi’s nickname.
‘Alhamdulillah, I am very happy and grateful that Allah has destined this for me. Hopefully I can carry out this task and especially I can learn from every experience of my da’wah journey,’ he continued.
On Tuesday (12/3/2024), at 18.25 Thai time, the plane carrying Kang Opie landed at Don Mueang Airport. Meanwhile, another preacher, Ustaz Zulfirman, had arrived in Thailand six hours earlier. Because the departure location is different, from Kualanamu Airport, Medan.
‘After passing the immigration check and baggage claim, I was picked up by staff officials of the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok. On the way to the guesthouse of the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok, we chatted with each other and exchanged news. All the while, my eyes were observing the condition of Bangkok. Oh how this city is like Jakarta. Metropolitan city, hot weather, hustle and bustle of office activities, until I got in one corner of the street there is a culinary spot like angkringan. What makes it foreign and still difficult to learn is the language, it’s unique and funny to hear,’ said Kang Opie recounting his first experience setting foot in Bangkok.
Upon arrival at the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok, the preachers were then placed in a guesthouse located not far from the As-Safir Mosque which is used as the centre of Ramadan 1445 H activities within the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok. Ustaz Zulfirman was placed in the downstairs room, while Ustaz Novi Maulana occupied the upstairs room. The accommodation provided is quite good, all equipment is available.
In fact, behind the room the preachers were presented with a quite interesting view, namely the Saen Saep river flow. A canal in the centre of the commercial city of Bangkok that serves as a water transport route. The Khlong Saen Saep Boat Service is a water bus transport service provider operating since 1 October 1990 on this river.
Hopefully the arrival of the Dai Ambassadors to the White Elephant Country will provide interesting experiences and experiences to spread Islam and Indonesia through the da’wah of Ziswaf Dompet Dhuafa led by Corps Dai Dompet Dhuafa (Cordofa).
Tuesday, 12 March 2024
Novi Maulana Yusup, Dompet Dhuafa Dai Ambassador