Jakarta - Indonesia - October 10th - 2003

Jumu`ah Prayers in World's Third Largest Mosque Jakarta, 10-10-2003

Shaykh Hisham Kabbani, calipha of the Naqshbandi-Haqqani Sufi tradition, addressed a capacity crowd of over 100,000 congregants at Jakarta's Istiqlal Mosque, the world's third largest mosque, for the Jumu`ah (Friday) prayer service.

This was the second time that Shaykh Kabbani had led the religious service [see first Jumu`ah service Shaykh Hisham conducted in this mosque].

Addressing the gathered crowd of over 100,000 attendees in Masjid Istiqlal, Shaykh Hisham spoke on the importance of holding fast to Islam's principles of peace, tolerance and non-violence.

Speaking in the presence of Indonesia's Minister of Religious Affairs, Dr. Sayyid Aqil Hussein al-Munawwar, the Shaykh praised the way the people of Indonesia have held fast to their religious tradition - as evidenced by the many charitable religious organizations throughout the country whose mission is to teach orphans and poor children both Quranic and secular sciences.

Shaykh Kabbani has always laid emphasis on the importance of classical Islamic observance, and was thus pleased to see that the religious recitation of traditional Sufi dhikr is becoming extremely popular throughout Indonesia. This is reflected in the recitation of dhikr in Istiqlal Mosque once a month with over 50,000 men and women in attendance.

Over 100,000 congregants at Jakarta's Istiqlal Mosque performed the Jumu`ah prayer service.

Following the service, thousands of Friday prayer attendees rush to take initiation in the Naqshbandi-Haqqani Sufi tradition.

Indonesia's Minster of Religious Affairs, Dr. Sayyid Aqil Hussein al-Munawwar who was present with the Shaykh moved with the crowd as they rushed to take the hand of the Shaykh accepting him as a guide in the Sufi spiritual way.

 Following the talk many people requested baya` on the Naqshbandi-Haqqani Sufi tariqat.

Shaykh Hisham delivers the post-Jumu`ah address to the gathered congregants.

Shaykh Hisham was greeted at the entrance by the mosque complex's director.

After the baya` ceremony, in which it was estimated over seven thousand participated, Shaykh Hisham was invited by Indonesia's Minister of Religious Affairs, Dr. Sayyid Aqil Hussein al-Munawwar to visit in his office, in the lower part of the mosque's complex, which houses the Ministry.

Shaykh Hisham meets with Vice Speaker of Indonesian Parliament His Excellency Sutarjo Surygurino.

Istiqlal Mosque ~ Khutbat al-Jumu`ah:  July 11th, 2003