Yesterday, I met Syech Ali Akbar Marbun who in the head of an Islamic board school called PP Al-Kaustar Al-Akbar, or the Great Oasis. It is the kind of school that is sometimes painted in Western media a training ground for bad guys. Syech Marbun rejects all forms of violence and actively interacts with pastors, bishops and other leaders of other religions.
As part of my visit he gave me an ulus, which is a kind of a shawl. Syech Marbun is from the Batak ethnic group. The ulus is a traditional gift the Batak give to guests. Isalm also requires guests to be received warmly. In giving me the ulus, he was combining the requirements of his faith with the traditions of his culture.
The ulus is a form of prayer. It is long, to give the receiver (me) long life. It is edged with hundreds of tiny beads, so that I will have lots of money. It can warm my body if I am cold, and shade me from the sun, if I am too hot. The ends of the shawl have lots of fringe, again to bless me with lots of wealth.
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