CCN, Cilegon. Tonight, religious scholars, students, and the community of Cilegon will gather for a collective remembrance event through khaul and prayers to commemorate the Geger Cilegon incident that occurred on July 9, 2023. The event will take place at the Courtyard of the Cilegon Mayor’s Residence as a tribute to the struggle of farmers and kiai against the Dutch colonizers at that time.
The Geger Cilegon incident is one of the historical moments that cannot be forgotten by the people of Cilegon. The khaul and collective prayers aim to pray for and appreciate the efforts of the martyrs and heroes of Geger Cilegon who fought for independence.
H. Nawawi, one of the initiators of the petition concerned about the Geger Cilegon incident, stated, “This khaul is a prayer and appreciation for the martyrs and heroes of Geger Cilegon. Cilegon is not only a city of steel but also a city of history and fighters.”
Since the petition concerning the Geger Cilegon incident was initiated two years ago, the people of Cilegon have continuously shown their unwavering spirit of struggle. In their efforts to rebuild a better life, the petition has proposed various measures, such as the creation of the Mayor’s Regulation (Perwal) or the enactment of a Regional Regulation for the Commemoration of the Geger Cilegon War every year, the establishment and maintenance of the Geger Cilegon War Museum, and the construction of monuments commemorating the Geger Cilegon War that include the names of the fighters.
H. Nawawi also emphasizes the importance of the Geger Cilegon incident as an inspiration in building the city of Cilegon and Indonesia. “Because the Geger Cilegon was not carried out alone but with collective strength,” he emphasized.
During the incident, the rebel forces led by Haji Wasid attacked Cilegon from the north. The estimated number of rebels gathered at Bendung, Lempuyang was around 400 people, while approximately 600 were deployed at Terumbu. An attack was also carried out on the Assistant Wedana’s house in Krapcak with around 60 people involved. In Jombang Kulon, the forces guarding the Cilegon exit road numbered only 20 people, while in Toyomerto, the rebel forces facing the army from Serang amounted to approximately 200 people.
The commemoration of the Geger Cilegon incident serves as an important moment for the people of Cilegon to remember and pray for the struggle of the heroes. The spirit of their struggle is hoped to inspire the present generation in building a better future. Cilegon is not just a city of steel but also a city of history and fighters whose spirit never fades.
(Red)
