"Sheik Yusuf Al-Makassari is a bridge of civilization between Indonesia and South Africa. The Cultural House will be a symbol of the eternal friendship between the two nations that has existed for hundreds of years," Indonesian Culture Minister Fadli Zon said during a visit to the tomb of Sheik Yusuf Al-Makassari in Cape Town on Friday.
The ministry seeks to strengthen the historical ties and friendship between Indonesia and South Africa by building the Indonesian Cultural House.
The Sheik Yusuf Indonesian Cultural House was designed as a center for arts, cultural activities, and inter-community interaction to instill values of spirituality and tolerance, as well as encourage cultural exchange and historical research, Fadli remarked.
Abadin Tadia Tjoessoep, also known as Sheik Yusuf, was born in Makassar in 1626. He was the nephew of Sultan Alauddin, the first king of Gowa to embrace Islam in 1603.
Sheik Yusuf was known as a cleric and leader of the resistance against Dutch colonialism in Southeast Asia.
"Sheik Yusuf Al-Makassari's struggles included imprisonment in Batavia and then transfer to Colombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), and even exile to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, due to his strong influence in resisting colonialism," Fadli explained.
On June 27, 1693, Sheik Yusuf was exiled to the Zandvliet farm on the banks of the Eerste River in South Africa. The area was later named Macassar in honor of his origin.
During his exile, he used the moment to preach in Zandvliet, where he opened a refuge for slaves and established the first Muslim community in South Africa.
Islamic teachings reached Cape Town and its surroundings through the preaching of Sheik Yusuf.
The cleric, known as the Father of Islam in South Africa, died at the age of 73 on May 23, 1699.
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Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Arie Novarina
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