SERANG - The government is preparing the Sheikh Yusuf Museum in Cape Town, South Africa. The plan was conveyed by Minister of Culture Fadli Zon during the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the birth of Sheikh Yusuf Al-Makassari at the Old Banten Grand Mosque, Serang, Tuesday, April 28.
Fadli said the museum would serve as a House of Indonesian Culture. The project, said Fadli, has been coordinated with local authorities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"This step has been approved by President Prabowo Subianto," said Fadli.
The plan for a museum in Cape Town has come under scrutiny because Sheikh Yusuf is not only an important figure for Indonesia. He is also respected in South Africa for his struggle and missionary work when he was exiled by the Dutch colonialists to the region.
Fadli said that Sheikh Yusuf was a cross-continental fighter. He is known as a scholar, thinker of tasawwuf, mufti in the Sultanate of Banten, as well as a figure of resistance against colonialism.
"Syekh Yusuf is a complete figure who unites the power of thought through 50 works of tasawwuf with physical action against colonization," said Fadli.
According to Fadli, Sheikh Yusuf is the only figure who holds the title of national hero in two countries, Indonesia and South Africa. In Banten, Sheikh Yusuf once served as a mufti and also became the son-in-law of Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa.
In addition to the museum in Cape Town, Fadli stated that the Ministry of Culture would accelerate the designation of a number of sites in Old Banten as National Cultural Heritage. This step is considered important so that historical areas such as the Old Banten Grand Mosque remain protected.
The 400th anniversary of Syekh Yusuf has been included in the UNESCO agenda. The activities in Old Banten were attended by around 1,000 people, including representatives of friendly countries.
The event was also filled with discussions "Syekh Yusuf: Dulu, Kini, dan Nanti" which featured Prof. Oman Fathurahman and Mukhlis PaEni. There is also Khatmil Quran bil Kitabah, the writing of the mushaf of the Qur'an by 500 students, and an exhibition of manuscripts that are part of the UNESCO Memory of the World.
Fadli said this warning should be a way to reintroduce Sheikh Yusuf to the younger generation. Not just as a name in history, but as an Indonesian figure whose footsteps live in South Africa.
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