Batam Island
The morning of October 11, Shaykh Hisham and a large entourage from Jakarta flew to Batam Island, at the very northwestern tip of Sumatra.
Farewell is said to Jakarta mureeds at the Firdaus home.
A final group come requesting baya` before the Shaykh's departure.
All board the charter flight for Batam. Shaykh Hisham sits with Mr. Sunarto .Overseas guests Ishaq settles in with local mureeds.
Arrival at Batam Airport is greeted by a large contingent of officials and `ulama who receive Shaykh Hisham and the entourage on the tarmac and assist in boarding directly to a waiting bus.
From the bus the Shaykh the plane's passengers are escorted to the VIP lounge of the airport for an official welcome.
Haj Suleiman (to Shaykh Hisham's left), Chairmain of the Council of Scholars of Batam, introduces Shaykh Hisham to local scholars. Mr. Ismet Abdullah, the main developer of Batam's new industrial and tourist sector, welcome the Shaykh.  
 
While photographers and video cameras roll.   As the group poses for a portrait.
Arrival and greeting at the elegant hotel which the municipality of Batam provided for the Shaykh's visit.
Shaykh Hisham is greeted by waiting Singapore mureeds who are waiting at the hotel - only an hour by ferry from Singapore.
 
More mureeds stream into the hotel by the minute.   View of the island from the elevator.
The entourage then boarded buses in order to proceed to a ground-breaking ceremony for Batam's Naqshband zawiya. The entrance to the site marked by a huge sign of welcome for Shaykh Hisham Kabbani. Earth-moving equipment lies in wait for completion of the ceremony.
Cars of attendees are parked above the site. Approach to the site. Shaykh Hisham is greeted by Haj Suleiman, Chairmain of the Council of Scholars of Batam.
 
A crowd swarmed around Mawlana Shaykh Hisham, seeking to greet him, and to shade him from the intense sun.
     
As Shaykh Hisham approaches, Batam's Haqqani Mawlid Ensemble strikes up the daff and begin recitation of beautiful qasidas of welcome.
 
Shaykh Hisham and the assembled VIPs listened to the recitation of Quran, followed by a number of speakers.
Mr. Sunarto spoke,. followed by Mr. Abdullah.  
The Mayor of Batam addresses the crowd. Shaykh Hisham takes the podium.  
The group then proceeds to the groundbreaking location.  
The future site of the new Naqshbandi masjid and zawiya of Batam.
Shaykh Hisham lays the first founder's stone.
The mayor of Batam, the head scholar of Batam and Mr. Sunarto each lay a founder's stone.
 
Then trees are planted at the site.
The Shaykh and his entourage then were hosted for dinner.
Shaykh Hisham then went to the Jami` (main) Mosque of Batam.
Salat al-Isha'.
   

Women's prayer line. Following prayer, a Hafiz recites from the Quran in melodious tajweed for which the Indonesians are renowned, capturing the World Tajweed prize nearly every year.
Then Shaykh Hisham gives a talk on the importance of contemplation and remembering God, reflecting on the verse, "Those who remember God standing and sitting and lying on their sides and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth: Our Lord! Thou hast not created this in vain! Glory be to Thee; save us then from the chastisement of the fire." [3:191]
Following the talk, Shaykh Hisham led an extremely powerful jahri dhikr (remembrance of God chanted alound and in unison).
After which many requested initiation in the Naqshbandi-Haqqani tariqat.
     
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