Munzir Al Musawa

Munzir Al-Musawa was born on February 23, 1973, in Cipanas, Indonesia, the fourth of five children. He was of Chinese descent and grew up in a poor family. He dropped out of school and became involved in criminal activities such as robbery, gambling, and drug trafficking. He was known as a ruthless and feared gangster who had connections with the military and political elites. He was also accused of being involved in the anti-Chinese riots of 1998, but he denied the allegations and claimed that he was a victim of scapegoating. In 1992, Munzir Al-Musawa converted to Islam after being influenced by his friend and mentor, Haji Abdul Karim Oei, who was also a former gangster and gambling tycoon. He changed his name to Haji Muhammad Ramdhan Effendi and became a preacher. He also established a mosque, Masjid Jami' Tan Hok Liang, in Pondok Rajeg, Cibinong, Bogor. He dedicated his life to spreading Islam and helping the poor and marginalized. He also became the chairman of the Indonesian Chinese Muslim Association (PITI) in 2012. ² Munzir Al-Musawa was married to Siti Aminah, a Muslim woman from Aceh, and had 10 children. He was known for his charismatic and outspoken personality, as well as his controversial views on various issues. He often criticized the government, the corruption, the radicalism, and the discrimination against the Chinese minority. He also advocated for the unity and tolerance among different religious and ethnic groups in Indonesia. He was respected and admired by many people, especially the Muslim converts and the Chinese community. Munzir Al-Musawa passed away on September 15, 2013, at the age of 40, due to complications of asthma and encephalitis. He was buried in his mosque compound in Pondok Rajeg, Cibinong, Bogor. His death was mourned by many people, including his family, friends, followers, and fellow preachers. He was remembered as a man who had a remarkable journey of transformation, from a notorious criminal to a devout Muslim and a compassionate leader.