A Special Invitation to have Iftar on an Indonesian Military Ship called: KRI Banjarmasin 592 which had docked in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
KRI Banjarmasin-592 is a ship type of Landing Platform Dock (LPD) made in PT PAL Indonesia and the Minister of Defense inaugurated it on 28 November 2009. The ship’s functions are as personnel transports, amphibious combat vehicles and helicopter conveyance which has docking-undocking capabilities to project power ashore sea via LCU (Landing Craft Utility) in the process of amphibians.
On 20th of June the ship arrived in Jeddah and invited us to visit the ship. This was a a new experience for me. I was met with about 98 cadets and a team of 316 people who participated to the world events on the World Expo Milan (WEM) 2015 in Italy. The ship departed from the homeland on April 28 and will sail for 84 days. Prior to Jeddah, they’ve stopped in several countries, departing from Surabaya (Indonesia), heading to Belawan-Cochin (India) -Salalah (Oman) -Alexandria (Egypt) -Genoa (Italy) -Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) -Karachi (Pakistan) and will arrive in Surabaya in July 2015 after transit in Padang and Jakarta. According to the Indomiliter, the cruise purpose is to show off PT PAL Indonesia for the capability to make the LPD class ships. WEM 2015 runs from May 1 to 31 October 2015. The KRI Banjarmasin 592 visited in Milan along with 145 countries that also joined in the event.
***
We were already half an hour at the front door of Jeddah Islamic Port. The strict inspection to enter the port area made us nervous, whether we were allowed to come to the invitation or not. But alhamdulillah after a long negotiation the port officers allowed us to go to the location of the ship which has 125 meters length.
Upon arrival at the location of where the boat was docked, the team and crew warmly welcomed us! We were then directed and seated in the helicopter landing area that had been changed into a hall. This area is quite spacious as it able to accommodate five helicopters. Here, we enjoyed the verses of the holy Koran recited by the cadets, listened to speeches, as well as a brief lecture before adzan maghreb. At maghreb time, we then enjoyed the iftar provided, and performed maghrib prayer in congregation on deck! The event continued with dinner together and treated to beautiful performances such as songs, cultural music (rampak kendang from West Java) and dances (from Bali and Aceh).
According to Mrs Runik, a Muslim woman battalion commander, they are grateful for the journey. The Christians had opportunity to visit their holy city in Italy, while Muslims also could fast and performed Ramadan Umrah although it was only 3 days visit in Jeddah.
Masha Allah, I salute for those who are still able to pass through the holy Ramadan that must be quite hard because in this summer’s trip, maghrib time is longer. May Allah give them strength to fast until the end of Ramadan.
