YOGYAKARTA —-— That morning, Monday, February 16, 2026, was a difficult day for Muhamad Mardiansyah, one of the Dai Ambassadors of Dompet Dhuafa 2026 from Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta. He had to suppress his longing and carry out his mission as he pulled his suitcase toward Australia. It was not easy to explain everything. Muhamad Mardiansyah, waving goodbye to his family and the waves at the edge of Yogyakarta International Airport, headed to Australia, carrying out Dompet Dhuafa’s Ramadan da’wah mandate.
“Before fasting began, I had to leave home. My wife accompanied me to the airport. Her gaze was reassuring, though I knew there was a sense of sadness within her, just as I felt. This is a new chapter for me, and the hardest part is leaving my children and family for this journey. As a preacher, leaving one’s family is no easy matter. The longing is already felt even before the plane takes off,” Muhamad Mardiansyah shared with the Dompet Dhuafa team.
Like the other Dai Ambassadors, before departing, he had already received various preparations, training, and strengthening through a series of programs from Dompet Dhuafa. Strengthening the methodology of da’wah, understanding the social context of the diaspora community, and mental and spiritual preparation to face challenges in a foreign land—all of these became valuable assets.
Every Trust Has Its Own Strengthening Path
In those training rooms, Muhamad Mardiansyah and other Dai Ambassadors truly felt how Dompet Dhuafa seriously prepared the dai. Everyone was invited to understand that preaching abroad has its own challenges, ranging from cultural differences and community limitations to the unique spiritual needs of migrants. Of course, for Muhamad Mardiansyah, all of this made him realize that this task is a great responsibility that cannot be taken lightly. “I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Dompet Dhuafa for their trust and extraordinary guidance. The training provided was not just theory, but character building.
I learned that being a Dai Ambassador is not just about speaking skills. It is about exemplary behavior, empathy, and readiness to be present among the people with solutions,” explained Muhamad Mardiansyah.
When he finally stood in the airport waiting room, looking at the departure screen for Australia, he knew that he was carrying more than just a suitcase. He was carrying knowledge, the prayers of the asatidz, the trust of the institution, and the hopes of his family.
Longing for Da’wah in the Land of Kangaroos
He said that his wife held his hand tightly before the boarding call was heard. Not many words were spoken, only prayers flowed softly. In his heart, he promised to keep this mandate as best as he could. That he would carry out every step of his da’wah in a foreign land with professionalism, sincerity, and responsibility.
Because for him, this journey was not just a change of location. It was a journey of devotion. From a warm home to a vast field of da’wah. From the embrace of his children to the mandate he held in his hands.
“It’s hard, yes. But behind that hardship, there is a belief that Allah never makes a mistake in choosing His servants for a task. Once again, thank you to the Dompet Dhuafa donors for your trust and training that has shaped me today. Thank you to my family for their support. And especially to my beloved wife who has strengthened my steps to the departure gate,” he concluded.
Now, Muhamad Mardiansyah’s journey begins. To Australia, to the field of da’wah. To new stories of longing, dedication, and the belief that every sacrifice will bear good fruit.
Text and Photos: Muhamad Mardiansyah
Editor: Taufan YN