Siak Regency Government Holds Ritual Rejecting Bala "Ghatib Beghanyut"

The atmosphere on the ferry in the ritual activity rejects the Balai Ghatib Beghanyut by doing remembrance together from upstream to downstream of the Siak River about 5 kilometers. BETWEEN THE Siak Regency Government/HO

SIAK - The Government of Siak Regency, Riau Province again held an annual ritual to reject reinforcements, Ghatib Beghanyut, by doing remembrance with the community on the boat to get closer to God.

Deputy Regent of Siak, Husni Merza led the ritual from the gathering point in the courtyard of the Syahabuddin Siak Grand Mosque. Then board the ship from the Lake and Crossing River Transport Traffic Port (LLASDP) Siak to the ferry at the Belantik Crossing for about five kilometers.

"Alhamdulillah, we are still maintaining the tradition of Ghatib Beghanyut, hopefully it will be maintained and sustainable for the times. Beghanyut (berhanyut) from upstream to downstream of the Siak River, hopes that prayers will be answered and deeds of worship are accepted and kept away from various disease disasters and bad events that hit our society. May blessings to our people and country, Amen," said Husni Merza as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, September 11.

Ghatib Beghanyut's tradition is the ninth joint remembrance tradition by the Siak Regency Government. The ghatib event begins with holding prayers together, dinner and opening prayers.

Then a torch relay was held from the Shahabuddin Mosque to the port to board the ferry and several canoes. Husni explained that this tradition has existed since the time of the Siak Kingdom and has been preserved until now.

He explained that Ghatib Beghanyut is a ritual tradition to keep a person or society away from various diseases and bad events.

"This tradition is carried out generationally every year through a series of zikr, tasbih, tahlil and takbir which are carried out by staying in the Siak River using several canoes and ferries," he explained.

Previously, in the morning until noon, the group first made a pilgrimage to the graves of the Sultans of Siak, starting from the graves of Sultan Abdul Jalil Rakhmadsyah or Raja Kecik in Kampung Made Besar, Siak District, then to the tomb complex of the 2nd Sultan Muhammad Abdul Jalil Muzaffar Syah or Tengku Disposal of Asmara in Mempura District, and Koto Tinggi Tomb Complex and the graves of Sultan Syarif Kasim II in Siak District.

"Alhamdulillah, we have also made a pilgrimage to the graves of nine Sultan Siak in four different locations. This is our annual activity, to pray and be grateful for the services of the Sultans of Siak and tonight continue with the tradition of Ghatib Beghanyut," said Husni.