Bung Karno proposing mas’a expansion

Since before Hajj time this year, Moslems all over the world have a debate about Mas’a (a place for doing sa’i) expansion, which is located in Masjidil Haram, Mecca. The place has to be expanded for considering the fact that the place is too narrow. But the problem is when we practice sa’i in the expanded place, it is still debatable whether it is valid or not according to fikih. The debate is still going on, yet the practice continues.

Actually, the idea about mas’a expansion firstly came from Indonesia, when Bung Karno performed Hajj in 1955. He saw the place was too narrow, whereas considering the numbers of Jamaah at that time, who were only hundreds, the place was sufficient.<>

Then, Bung Karno talked to Minister of Religious Affairs, KH. Masykur from NU, “Kiai, this sa’i place is too narrow so it cannot accommodate Jamaah who are always increasing from time to time.”

“But it looks still proper enough Bung, the jamaah were still able to practice sa’i smoothly,” Kiai Masykur answered.

For this time, yes, it is still able to accommodate the people,” said Bung Karno. “What if the numbers of Moslem in the world reach one billion, then the hajj jamaah reach millions? Definitely the place will not be sufficient anymore.”

“Yes, you are right, Bung.” Kiai Masykur shortly answered.

Then, this Minister of Religious Affairs extended Bung Karno’s idea to King Abdul Aziz. However, at that time, the king did not grant the request, since expanding the sa'i place was a hard thing. He had to change the structure of Masjidil Haram. In addition, it was not needed yet.

Only now, after the jamaah are not all accommodated since 1980s, the holy place started to be expanded. Apparently, Bung Karno had a long vision compared to the Saudi King himself, and before the religious figures. (mdz) (ay)