Sis Al-Jufri, Guru Tua Pendidikan Agama Islam Di Kota Palu

Palu, a coastal city and the capital of Central Sulawesi Province, has a rich history that dates back to the ancient kingdoms of Besusu, Kamonji, Lere, and Baru. Over time, Islam became the dominant religion in the region, thanks to the influence of traders and seafarers from Minangkabau, Bugis, Makassar, and Mandar. Today, approximately 75% of the population in Central Sulawesi adhere to Islam.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Islam saw rapid growth in Palu. The establishment of the first Islamic school, Al Khairat, in 1930 by Sayyid Idrus bin Salim Al Jufri, known as Guru Tua (Old Teacher), played a significant role in this development. Guru Tua was a charismatic preacher from Tarim, Hadramaut, in South Arabia, who became an important figure in Islamic education in Central Sulawesi.

Guru Tua's arrival in Palu was enthusiastically welcomed by the local community, who offered their homes as places of learning. In response to their overwhelming support, Guru Tua decided to establish Al Khairat as a platform for Islamic education. Today, Al Khairat is one of the largest Islamic organizations in Eastern Indonesia, comprising schools from kindergarten to university level.

Guru Tua was not only a dedicated scholar and preacher, but also a staunch advocate for the spread of Islam. Throughout his life, he traveled extensively across the eastern region of Indonesia, spreading the teachings of Islam. His immense influence on the people of Palu is immortalized in the name of the city's airport, Saljufri Airport.

But Guru Tua's impact goes beyond an airport name. His legacy is also preserved in the educational complex of Al Khairat, which has become a religious tourist attraction in Palu. The complex, known as Sis Al Jufri Street, stretches for 1 kilometer and is lined with buildings named after various branches of Al Khairat. Visitors can immerse themselves in the teachings and wisdom of this charismatic scholar.

To gain a deeper understanding of Guru Tua's role in Palu, I had the privilege of speaking with Habib Abdullah Reza Al Jufri, Guru Tua's great-grandson. Habib Abdullah Reza shared insights into Guru Tua's life and achievements. He revealed that Guru Tua was born in Paris, South Yemen, in 1891, and received his early education from his father, Al Habib Salim bin Alwi Assegaf Al Jufri, a renowned scholar.

After obtaining knowledge from his father and other prominent scholars in Yemen, Guru Tua set out for Indonesia in 1925. He was initially bound for Egypt, carrying documents exposing British atrocities in Yemen. However, he was detained in Aden, and his ban from preaching in Yemen led him to choose Indonesia as his new home.

Guru Tua spent some time preaching in Pekalongan and Solo before he was invited by local scholars to spread his teachings in Sulawesi. The people of Palu were eager to learn from scholars from outside their region, and they requested Guru Tua's expertise. This led him to establish Al Khairat in 1930, with a focus on nurturing religious knowledge among the locals through Madrasah Dini Awaliyah (Early Islamic School) or MDA.

The MDA, which began with a humble group of students, has since grown into a prominent educational institution for Islamic studies in Palu. Guru Tua's emphasis on the importance of knowledge and character development left a lasting impact on his students. His mantra, "With knowledge and good character, you can achieve your dreams," has become a guiding principle for Al Khairat.

Looking ahead, the Al Khairat organization aims to further develop its educational programs, and not just be known for education but also for its contributions to society and the afterlife. With a strong focus on Islamic education, da'wah (advocacy), and social welfare, Al Khairat strives to compete at the national and international levels.

As my journey in Palu comes to an end, I am reminded of the significance of education in shaping individuals and fostering harmonious communities. Through the Islamic education revolution ignited by Guru Tua, Palu has become a city where people live in peace and unity, driven by their shared faith. I invite you to support and learn from the remarkable achievements of Al Khairat as they continue their mission of spreading knowledge and promoting a better future for all.