Ra Ayak in Paris

When I participated in MQK (Musabaqah Qiraatil Kutub) East Java level in Nurul Qadim Paiton, a book, Derrida, written by Muhammad Al-Fayyad seemed in front of my eyes. I looked at the cover; I didn’t read it yet. I thought that the book is about philosophy though I didn’t recognize who Darrida was.

Some years after that moment I have a lecture in INSTIKA. My lecturer is KH. Muhammad Ilyasi Siradj. He taught about Interpretation 5: God, Human Being, and Creature. He dislikes liberarity (liberalism). It’s usual that liberality mindset of university student is criticized. For instance, his family, Muhammad Al-Fayyad, that agreed the communism in the world was criticized.

On Sunday (1/11/15) a person stood up on fist line in group prayer in front of me. He didn’t wear white shirt as the compulsary requariment in taking group prayer except dhuhur prayer in Pondok Pesantren Annuqayah of Lubangsa Area. “Who is he? Is he a santri here?” My mind asked me my self.

After praying asyar that KH. Muhammad Shalahuddin A. Warits, M.Hum led, he ordered Hafidz, the manager of masque that became follower behind Kiai Mamak (the calling name of KH. Muhammad Shalahuddin A. Warits). I didn’t listen to voice of Kiai Mamak: what he said. Suddenly, a microphone was given to him. He spoke that studying Ta’lim Mutaallim written by Imam Az-Zarnuji was changed with seminar. The speaker is the person that I saw before. He didn’t wear white shirt, but brown one.

“Our study today is not only theory, but also fact. This is Ra Ayak (the calling name of Muhammad Al-Fayyad). He is alumnus of Universite de Paris, Sorbonne, France. It is the campus that Andrea Hirata proceeded his mastered program by schoolarship. Ra Ayak’s book is more than mine, although I am older than him.” Kiai Mamak delivered while all the santris focused to face them.

“Haaa, Al-Fayyad!!!” I was amazing. The writer that I knew by impormation and searching in his blogger (perahukertas.blogspot.com) before sat down in front of my eyes.

Kiai Mamak continued his words. “Ra Ayak is the alumnus of Pondok Pesantren Annuqayah. He studied there since junior high school (MTs 1) till senior high school (MAK). He is my family (first cousin). He comes here for attending a seminar in Sumenep. I invited him here to deliver about Islam in Paris that has Eiffel, the fantastic minaret.”

Islam in Paris isn’t the same as one in Indonesia. In Paris majority of the societies aren’t thought about Islam (or religion), but science. Wanting to study it, they must take course by themselves. Religion and country aren’t combined.

Pesantren is the media that teaches some knowledge, religious and sciences. Ra Ayak made the Islamic comunity; he taught Nahdatul Ulama. He had two students. It’s difficult to spread Islam there.

“How fantastict it is!”

I remember he can continue his study to Paris by schoolarship. There are 500 participants resgistering the schoolarship. Only 7 person will be chosen.

A great writer, Andrea Hirata, was shadowed in my mind. He became famous because of his book, Laskar Pelangi, translated into 34 foreign languages. He wrote the books, e.g. Sang Pemimpi, Edensor, Maryam Karpov, Padang Bulan, Cinta di Dalam Gelas, Sebelas Patriot, Laskar Pelangi Song Book, and Ayah.

It is a prestigious opportunity if we can get schoolarship to the broad. Whoever can get it except pesimist men. So, make a million dreams from right now. Allah will know and listen to what we plan. It’s sure Allah will make our dreams becoming true.

“Ra Ayak, thanks for your motivation. Paris becomes my dream.”[]

Annuqayah, November 4, 2015