From a humble wish a legacy blossomed. This is Masjid Al-Maruf. Right before you stands a testament to faith and perseverance. This mosque wasn’t built overnight. It was born from the last wish of KH Thaha Ma’ruf. A prominent NU figure in the 1950s he dreamed of a place of worship in Jakarta.
KH Thaha Ma’ruf’s influence extended beyond religious scholarship. He served as a member of the Indonesian Parliament. He worked alongside notable figures like Prof Idham Kholid and Adam Malik. They shared a vision for Indonesia’s progress.
Before his passing KH Thaha Ma’ruf entrusted his wife Hj Sariani Thaha Ma’ruf with this dream. She and her eight children. They lived in Kebon Nanas East Jakarta. The search for the perfect location began. It led them to Cibubur a small village on Jakarta’s outskirts.
Cibubur then was different. It was swampy with rubber trees and rice paddies. Hj Sariani sought to purchase land for a small prayer hall a musholla. However local community leaders discouraged the idea. They warned that such a place often became a hub for drinking and gambling. They suggested a madrasah instead a place for religious learning.
And so a humble madrasah was established with only two classrooms. But as word of Hj Sariani’s skills as a preacher spread the madrasah thrived. It became the foundation for the Yayasan Al-Maruf a rapidly growing institution for Islamic education. The madrasah even expanded into offering dakwah courses. Hj Sariani’s teachings reached beyond Indonesia to Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam.
Masjid Al-Maruf’s growth was remarkable. It became a model for other Islamic schools in Jakarta. Hj Sariani eventually dedicated Masjid Al-Maruf to the Muslim community. The Yayasan Al-Maruf serves as its trustee. The mosque is not an inherited physical asset. Instead it is a legacy of struggle and sacrifice to be continued by future generations.
Masjid Al-Maruf also became a gathering place for NU scholars. KH Thaha Ma’ruf was a pioneer of NU in West Sumatra. Hj Sariani Thaha Ma’ruf was a member of the PBNU’s Syuro Council in Jakarta. Even KH Abdurrahman Wahid visited several times to deliver sermons. This was both during his time as PBNU chairman and as President of Indonesia.
Today Masjid Al-Maruf stands as a beacon. It is a beautiful example of the faith’s strength and adaptation. It shows how a simple wish grew into a vital community center for education and devotion. It is a place that connects generations and serves as a reminder of the power of faith.