SOUTH SULAWESI -— A traveler’s journey, typically synonymous with adventure and natural beauty, has taken Mutiara Ari Fitriana (24) on a far deeper, heartfelt experience that has transformed her perspective on the meaning of travel. From May 12 to 16, 2025, Mutiara did not merely visit new places in South Sulawesi; she embarked on a humanitarian mission with Dompet Dhuafa for the Tebar Hewan Kurban (THK) program. What began as a journey she intended to be purely exploratory has now transformed into an unforgettable source of joy for her fellow citizens in remote parts of the country.
For Mutiara, who is accustomed to climbing mountains and exploring the seas as a hobby and to unwind, this THK assessment mission marks her first time volunteering in such a deeply meaningful social activity. The journey began with a visit to the cattle farm of Dompet Dhuafa’s partner in Maros Regency. There, for the first time, she interacted directly with the sacrificial animals. With sparkling eyes, Mutiara not only witnessed the strict Quality Control (QC) process ahead of Eid al-Adha 1446 H but also tried feeding grass to the cows. She even helped the Dompet Dhuafa THK team measure the cows’ weight and check their dental health. This experience made her aware of the process behind the distribution of sacrificial animals that is both sharia-compliant and of high quality.
The Struggle of Muslim Minorities in North Toraja
From Maros, Mutiara’s journey continued to Rantebua, North Toraja, a remote and hilly area that holds many stories. There, 92 Muslims live as a minority amid the dominance of other religions. Most of them are farmers, but they live in poverty. Mutiara felt deeply moved upon hearing their stories of struggle. Not only are they unable to enjoy sacrificial meat, but they must also fight to practice their religion. Currently, they are working together to build a mosque as a center for religious activities, as the existing mosque is only a temporary structure made of bamboo and tents, capable of accommodating around 30 people.
There was once an attempt to build a permanent mosque, but it was banned from operating by certain individuals and the local community. The new mosque is the result of extraordinary tolerance from non-Muslim neighbors who donated their land, as well as the collective efforts of Muslims in Rantebua.
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“The nearest mosque is in another village, about 3 kilometers away on foot from the settlement. We also need a religious teacher because many people need to learn about religion,” said Rantelino, a religious teacher in Rantebua.
Other residents also said that they rarely get to enjoy sacrificial meat. If there is a sacrifice in their village, they get the meat from the neighboring village. Moreover, to bring the sacrificial cow to their village, the villagers must walk for about four hours down steep and rugged paths, then another four hours to return with the cow because the road conditions do not allow for four-wheeled vehicles. Mutiara fell silent, imagining the immense effort they must go through just to taste the meat.
Tears on Sarappo Caddi Island
After visiting North Toraja, Mutiara visited Sarappo Caddi Island, Mattiro Langi Village, Pangkep Regency. It is a small island covering an area of 33,000 square meters with more than 1,000 inhabitants, which is part of the Spermonde Islands.
Named Sarappo Caddi because it was once densely covered with betel nut trees (sarappo in the Makassar language), and caddi means small, as opposed to Sarappo Lompo (large).
On this island, the emotional atmosphere grew stronger for Mutiara. She met an elderly man around 60 years old. With a weary expression, he shared that he had not gone fishing for a long time, his main source of income, due to illness. In his simple home, he lives with his wife. For daily meals, he admitted that he often relies on help from neighbors.
“You can imagine, let alone sacrificial offerings or enjoying meat, even meeting daily food needs is now a struggle for that man,” Mutiara said. Tears welled up in her eyes, recalling her father, who at the same age was still full of energy, working and striving to provide for his family.
Mutiara also met a mother whose husband and son are fishermen. Their trips to sea are unpredictable, lasting days or weeks, with little to show for their efforts. Her daughter has dropped out of school because they cannot afford the fees. Every afternoon, the two of them sell snacks to make ends meet.
“It made me cry because the people here never eat meat, even during Eid al-Adha, but that was years ago,” Mutiara said about her feelings in Sarappo Caddi.
Understanding the True Meaning of Travel
For Mutiara, this was not just a trip, but a journey of discovery. While she used to explore tourist spots or climb mountains as a hobby to unwind, this time she found a new, much deeper meaning.
“This is my first time volunteering with Dompet Dhuafa. Usually, I just go mountain climbing or explore the sea, but this time I wanted to go to remote areas to help our brothers and sisters who are far away and need assistance here,” she said.
This experience also taught Mutiara to understand Dompet Dhuafa’s 4P slogan more deeply:
● Definitely in accordance with Islamic law
● Definitely masculine
● Definitely distributed to the remotest corners of the country
● Definitely reported quickly
Mutiara’s journey is a clear testament to the significant impact of Kurban and the many brothers and sisters in remote areas who desperately need and long for Kurban—whether it be for the celebration, the equitable distribution of meat, or the nutritional value it provides. Witnessing the conditions in North Toraja and Sarappo Caddi Island firsthand, Mutiara felt compelled to share this joy.
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Therefore, Mutiara did not hesitate to invite her friends and followers on social media to join in this act of kindness. “Let’s join me in contributing to the Qurban sacrifice for our brothers and sisters in remote areas of the country, together with me and Dompet Dhuafa,” Mutiara said enthusiastically. The collected Kurban offerings will be distributed in North Toraja and Sarappo Caddi Island, bringing smiles and hope to those who rarely experience them.
Every contribution you make will bring a smile of joy to those in North Toraja, Sarappo Caddi Island, and other areas. Let’s make this sacrifice a reality with Mutiara and Dompet Dhuafa, bringing the joy of sacrifice to remote areas of the country by participating through this link. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Dhika Prabowo
Editor: Dedi Fadlil