Tasawuf for Street Children

KOMPAS/BUDI SUWARNA

Halim Ambiya

Some people tend to avoid street children. Halim Ambiya (46 years) approaches them instead. They are invited to clean themselves, recite the Koran, and tap into their creative potential. This is the path of "tasawuf", which embraces marginalized groups of society.

"Afdhalul jihaadi an yujaahidur rajulu nafsahu wa hawaahu." Halim Ambiya said this sentence aloud. He stood pointing to the Arabic script on the blackboard. In front of him, around 20 young men were sitting neatly, some of whom had tattoos on their bodies. They imitated Halim\'s words over and over again until the hadith narrated by Ad-Daelami stayed in their heads.