CCN, Cilegon. KH Wasyid is being proposed as a candidate for the title of national hero. Apart from KH Wasyid Ki. Arsyad Thawil is also being proposed to get the title of National Hero by the Cilegon City Education and Culture Office, Greenotel. Forum Group Discussion (FGD) was also attended by representatives of the families of KH. Wasid and KH. Arsyad Thawil, Study Team, Education and Culture Office of Cilegon and invitees. (18th April 2023)
The Education and Culture Office of the city of Cilegon tried to propose 2 (two) names of potential heroes and where the study of this hero title was assisted by academics from the UIN SHM Banten study as a study team on the history of CIlegon convulsions.
Hj Heni Anita Susila, Head of the Cilegon Education and Culture officials said, “With this opportunity, I Head of the Education and Culture Office of course Proposed the struggle of KH. Wasyid and KH Arsyad Thawil, from my experience, when I was in the field of culture I used to come to H. Mansur’s house as a guest speaker to find out the history of KH Wasyid which was to be made into a Geger Cilegon film which was worked on by the arts community.
“Hopefully these two figures can be proposed to become National Hero figures, that is the hope of all of us. Therefore, we are working with the Social Service even though yesterday there was information that this year’s candidate proposals were closed on March 31, but with our efforts, and of course, we need support so that this proposal can be accepted by the Social Service,” she said.
“God willing, with our sincere intentions and hearts, we will try for it, hopefully, this year at a time later in 2023, the President of the Republic of Indonesia can be declared a national hero,” she said.
Tini Suswatini, Head of the Culture Division conveyed through her report, Geger CIlegon as information, for students, students, and the community by introducing CIlegon figures. Geger Cilegon is a regional identity, the people of Cilegon must know about the freedom fighters.
“The role of the Ulama in the Cilegon 1888 commotion, especially the role of the three main Kyai, namely Haji Abdul Karim through the teachings of the Qadiriyah wa Naqshabandiyah order which was used as a communication network, as well as as a pave way for his students and followers in the holy war against the Dutch colonialists. Haji Wasyid was a pioneer as well as the leader of the resistance movement along with K.H. Tubagus Ismail and other fighters. Haji Wasyid inflamed the enthusiasm of the ulema and the people of Banten to fight against colonialism that has ruled Indonesia and acted arbitrarily,” she added.
Explanation from KH. Mansyur Muhidin who is a descendant of KH.Wasyid said, “KH.Wasyid is a hero. He does not fight for his family but fight and belongs to the nation. KH. This Wasyid did not need the title of hero, this rebellion was aimed at the Netherlands, where the Dutch troops came to Cilegon, where the situation was very gripping when the corpse of Kh. Wasyid came to Cilegon, no one looked, no one approached, no one dared, until that time, people didn’t come to take care of KH Wasyid’s corpse, but everyone avoided them, KH Wasyid’s funeral, no one approached, especially his family because there was a threat from the Dutch government,” he said.
“Ki Wasyid is married to Atikah, a girl from Beji, Cilegon. From his marriage, he was blessed with two children: Muhammad Yasin and Siti Hajar. Siti Hajar is married to Ki Alwi and has a son named Syam’un who is a prominent Indonesian freedom fighter, founder of Al-Khairiyah Citangkil, and Regent of Serang from 1945-1949, “he said.
Ki Wasyid was a leader of the 1888 Cilegon commotion or also known as the Wasyid War. KH Wasyid planned and organized all elements of the people of Banten to fight. Ki Wasyid held meetings in various places and used the tarekat as a place to gather and pray and dhikr together. Ki Wasyid and other Kiyai could meet on this occasion to arrange strategies and tactics as well as coordination.
Aa Sehu, a representative from the descendants of KH Arsyad Thawil, said,“KH Arsyad Thawil is a Bantenese, but he lived in Mecca after returning from Mecca to Cilegon. KH Arsyad Thawil, a scholar who helped at that time.
“Though his position did not have a house at that time. The calculation did not last long so KH. Arsyad Thawil did not tell about life in CIlegon,” he concluded.
A Dutch court ruled that 89 people were sentenced to forced labor for 15 to 20 years. Eleven people were executed, and only 94 people were again released. Meanwhile, KH Arsyad Thawil along with seven other people was exiled to Manado, North Sulawesi.
While in exile, KH Arsyad complete mastery of religion became his provision. Throughout his life in exile, devoted himself to propagating Islamic values.
In the Airmadidi area, North Minahasa Regency, he also married a woman with one child from the Runtu family, named Liena Runtu. Liena Runtu then converted to Islam and changed her name to Tarchimah. This attitude was followed by her daughter, Maria Runtu, who changed her name to Maryam. “It is said that to live in exile, KH. Arsyad preached in foreign areas,” he said.
(Reported by Madrais, Translated by Ahdi)
