The Inauguration of Musholla Riadussalam

Joe Riadi, a Tzu Chi committee volunteer handed the MoU of Riadussalam Musholla to Encep Badri as the caretaker of the musholla, witnessed by the Pengurus Cabang Nahdlatul Ulama (PCNU) Cianjur Head KH M Choirul Anam MZD, TNI Captain Asep Sukandar as representative from KODIM 0609 Gununghalu West Bandung, and H. Sabana as Head of Cilangari Village.

The Riadussalam Musholla (Islamic Prayer Room) in Sindangsari Village is now officially in function. The inauguration ceremony was marked by the submission of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by Joe Riady, Tzu Chi Jakarta's volunteer committee and Encep Badri (40), caretaker of Musholla Riadussalam. The inauguration ceremony was held on Monday, June 11st, 2018, attended by PCNU Cianjur Head KH M Choirul Anam MZD,  TNI Captain Asep Sukandar as representative from KODIM 0609 Gununghalu West Bandung, as well as members of Majlis Ta`lim Cilangari Village.

After the submission of MoU for the construction of Musholla Riadussalam, Joe Riady gave a speech by socializing the vision and mission of Tzu Chi Foundation. "We want the villagers of Sindangsari to be comfortable when worshiping, living in harmony with each other," hoped Joe Riady.

Next, the event was continued with a spiritual cleansing performed by PCNU Cianjur Head KH M Choirul Anam MZD. In his speech, KH M Choirul Anam MZD asserted that the teaching of love that has been done by Tzu Chi Volunteers is corresponding with the sura of Al Fatihah in which when deeply reviewed, is to teach love and compassion. Furthermore, KH M Choirul Anam MZD noted that this musholla is not only a place of worship, but it can also be a place for discussion and deliberation for villagers, communal quran reading, as well as a place to stay in touch among the villagers.

Villagers of Sindangsari are very delighted to receive the Eid package during the inauguration of Mushola Riadussalam's construction completion.

In his speech, KH M Choirul Anam MZD advised that hopefully, this musholla will not only be used as a place of worship but it can also be a place of deliberation to reach consensus for villagers.

At the end of the event, Tzu Chi volunteers distributed 76 Eid packages to the surrounding villagers of Musholla Riadussalam. This Eid package contains 5 kg of rice, a box of DAAI Noodles (40 packs) and two liters of cooking oil. Symbolically, five elderls received this Eid packages which were handed directly by TNI Captain Asep Sukandar as representative from KODIM 0609 Gununghalu, H. Sabana as the Head of Cilangari Village, and Tzu Chi volunteers.

Villagers around Musholla Riadussalam are very delighted to receive this Eid packages, as said by Entin (32). "So glad, Eid Al-Fitr is already near. Alhamdulillah it's easier for tomorrow's Eid," said Entin.

One side of Musholla Riadussalam with a wide terrace and beautiful, clean patterned tiles.

The construction of Musholla Riadusslam was assisted daily by 5 to 10 volunteering villagers assisted by 4 building artists.

Musholla Riadussalam before rebuilding had a measure of 8 x 8 meters², surrounded by rice fields, lemon grass plantation, vegetables, and close to Sindangsari, Cilangari Village. The physical building could accommodate approximately 100 people, With boards as walls, no towers and only some plafond frames here and there. Only white tile floors which slightly adorned the cleanliness of this musholla. Some of the glass windows were already broken. There was no toilet, a place to wudu (ablution), it is relatively very simple. But it didn't lessen Sindangsari villagers' desire to worship the Almighty.

The villagers of Sindangsari are very enthusiastic in building Musholla Riadussalam to finish it quickly so it can be used sooner by the villagers of Cilangari Village.

In the beginning of May 2018, villagers and four building artists who are all from Cilangari Village dismantled the musholla together. Now the musholla's construction has been completed. With blue roof and using steel frame poles, the musholla's terrace are expanded up to 1.5 meters, toilet and wudu area are also ready for use. The musholla walls are coated in white and gray with green window frames. Riadussalam musholla is now very comfortable for villagers to run worship.

"Thank you very much to Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation, especially Tzu Chi volunteers from Jakarta and from Cianjur who are very thoughtful to Sindangsari villagers," said gratefully by Encep Badri.

Translated by Ilena Sevalona