From the humble beginnings of a wish. Mushola Al-Ma’ruf stands as a testament to faith and perseverance. This mosque isn’t just a building. It’s a living legacy. It all started with KH Thaha Ma’ruf. A prominent NU figure in the 1950s. Before his passing he wished for a mosque in Jakarta. His wish became the foundation of Yayasan Al-Ma’ruf.
KH Thaha Ma’ruf’s influence extended beyond religion. He served in the Indonesian parliament. His family included prominent figures like Prof Idham Kholid and Adam Malik. They were all dedicated to Indonesia’s progress. His wife Hj Sariani Thaha Ma’ruf carried on his dream. After his death she and her eight children searched for a suitable location. They eventually settled on Cibubur a small village on Jakarta’s outskirts.
Cibubur then was vastly different. It was swampy with rubber trees and rice paddies. The community initially suggested a madrasah instead of a mosque. They feared the mosque would be misused for drinking and gambling. Hj Sariani heeded their advice. She established a small two-room madrasah.
But the demand for religious education grew. Hj Sariani was a renowned preacher. She expanded the madrasah and added a dakwah course. Her influence stretched beyond Indonesia. She even taught Islam in Malaysia and Brunei. From these humble beginnings Yayasan Al-Ma’ruf flourished. It became a model for other Islamic schools in Jakarta.
Eventually Hj Sariani entrusted Al-Ma’ruf to the Muslim community. The Yayasan Al-Ma’ruf became its trustee. Al-Ma’ruf’s legacy isn’t about physical inheritance. It’s about continuing its fight and sacrifice. The mosque remains a gathering place for NU ulama. KH Thaha Ma’ruf was a key figure in establishing NU in West Sumatra. Hj Sariani was a member of the PBNU’s Syuro Council. Even Abdurrahman Wahid visited often to preach. This was both as PBNU chairman and later as President of Indonesia. Mushola Al-Ma’ruf stands as a symbol of faith family and enduring community spirit. A place where devotion echoes through time.