Sweat Falls After Pilgrimage In Sibolga, Anies Promises To Build Infrastructure To Facilitate Visits To Graves

Presidential Candidate Anies Baswedan In Sibolga, North Sumatra

SIBOLGA - presidential candidate number 1, Anies Baswedan. made a pilgrimage to the graves of Sheikh Rukunuddin and Sheikh Mahmud Bin Abdurrahman Bin Muadz Bin Jabal in Barus, Sibolga Regency, North Sumatra.

Anies' visit was accompanied by the Head of the Anies-Muhaimin (AMIN) Regional Campaign Team as well as the former Governor of North Sumatra, Edy Rahmayadi.

According to Anies, the pilgrimage he carried out was a spiritual journey to emulate religious leaders who played a role in the process of entering Islam into the archipelago.

"These aulians were buried as trustworthy guards in this place, how they kept the mandate from the Prophet SAW, and his friends to preach until the end of their lives. They left and never returned to their homeland, but they were buried in the archipelago," said Anies at the location, Friday, January 12.

After visiting the tomb of Sheikh Mahmud Bin Abdurrahman Bin Muadz Bin Jabal, Anies left the location with a sweat that was pouring out. This is because the pilgrimage visit to the tomb must be passed by going up and down the stairs. Local residents say there are 1,000 steps that must be passed.

"The steps are quite long and a thousand steps up. I, with Mr. Edy Rahmayadi, am very grateful that we have reached the top of our pilgrimage there, can pray," explained Anies.

Therefore, if you win the 2024 presidential election with the vice presidential candidate, Muhaimin Iskandar, Anies will allocate a budget for cultural endowment funds. One of its uses is to improve funeral infrastructure, especially those with cultural heritage status.

"We want cultural distribution funds to be fairer, and (the grave) is one of the most historic places that need good care including infrastructure to reach up," Anies explained.

"Because getting to the top requires not simple stamina. While we know pilgrims have different physical conditions, we want equal opportunities, including parents, to make pilgrimages there," he continued.