English
TIMESINDONESIA, SURABAYA – On a warm Saturday evening in Surabaya (26/7/2025), the heart of Indonesia beat louder than ever. At Masjid Cheng Hoo, a celebration unfolded. Not just of a birthday, but of something far deeper: unity, tolerance, and the beauty of coexisting differences.
The event marked the 72nd birthday of Prof. Dr. KH Said Aqil Siroj, lovingly known as Kang Said. But the gathering wasn’t simply a tribute to a man; it was a tribute to an idea. An idea that Indonesia, in all its diversity, can stand together in peace and mutual respect.
From the first step into the mosque’s courtyard, guests were greeted by a vibrant barongsai performance, a traditional Chinese lion dance full of energy and color. Children clapped, families laughed, and the air was rich with joy. The celebration continued with soulful shalawat—Islamic devotional songs—performed by the East Java Police, followed by traditional dances and national songs representing the cultural wealth of the archipelago.
It wasn’t just Muslims who filled the space. Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Confucianists, and indigenous belief followers came together, not as observers, but as participants. They stood shoulder to shoulder, delivering birthday wishes and prayers for Kang Said, each in their own faith tradition.
Among them was Alim Markus, a respected Chinese-Indonesian businessman and the head of Maspion Group. Taking the stage, he shared his deep respect and two-decade-long friendship with Kang Said.
“He is not just a scholar,” Markus said, his voice tinged with emotion, “He is a true leader of Nusantara, a friend I admire and cherish.”
The sentiment resonated throughout the hall, where applause erupted in waves, and teary eyes reflected the sincerity in the room. It was a living portrait of Indonesia’s founding principles—Pancasila and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity)—in motion.
Emil Dardak, Vice Governor of East Java, also paid tribute. In his speech, he praised Kang Said not just as a national icon but an international scholar whose wisdom transcends generations.
“His knowledge is a beacon,” Emil noted. “He is a national treasure, someone we must honor and learn from.”
The evening reached its most profound moment during a multi-faith prayer session. Religious leaders took turns offering blessings in their own sacred ways, all unified in a single purpose: to wish Kang Said a long, healthy, and blessed life. There were no walls—only one shared sky of spiritual togetherness.
From the stage, Kang Said beamed with a gentle, sincere smile. At 72, he remains humble, wise, and charismatic. For many, he is more than a religious figure; he is a moral compass, a unifying teacher, and a national elder who embodies the soul of inclusive Indonesian Islam.
Masjid Cheng Hoo, that night, became more than a mosque. It became a symbol—a home where Indonesians of all walks of life gathered not out of obligation, but out of shared love and purpose.
Adding to the significance, the evening also featured a panel titled “Global Collaboration in Technology Education,” hosted by the Said Aqil Siroj Center (SASC). The discussion included Dr. Arief Fahrudin (SASC Chairman), Dr. Sony H. Haribowo (Chief Expert Council of SASC), and Kang Said himself. Together, they explored how education and digital innovation can unite not just nations, but humanity.
SASC also launched a Digital Library, aimed at enriching public access to Islamic knowledge and cultural wisdom—a gift to the nation’s intellectual and spiritual future.
Kang Said’s 72nd birthday was not just a date on the calendar—it was a declaration of hope. A reminder that amid growing global divides, Indonesia still stands as a living model of pluralism. That in a world often torn by conflict, love and knowledge can build bridges.
As the night closed, the echoes of celebration—of dance, of prayer, of shared humanity—reminded everyone that this country, with all its colors and voices, is one home. And in that home, Kang Said remains one of its most cherished guides. (*)
| Editor | : Khodijah Siti |
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