Unconventional Preacher Ebit Liew Breaks Fast and Prays with Punk Rockers in Jakarta
Source: Facebook, Ebit Lew
Unconventional preacher Ebit Lew (UEL) shared his experience of breaking fast and shopping for Raya with street punks in Jakarta. In his Facebook post, UEL said that he was touched by the youths’ soft spoken and gentle ways despite their fierce looks.
Source: Facebook, Ebit Lew
“Behind their tattoos lies a story that’s waiting to be told.” – UEL
UEL bought these youths food and broke their fast together. He even fed them with his hands. After that, he took them shopping for Raya clothes.
UEL then booked hotel rooms for the youths so that they could pray and recite the Quran together with him.
“Most of them were crying as they shared their life stories with me. Some lost their parents, some have been on the streets for 10 years and there are those whose parents refused to accept them. It breaks my heart to see them in tears and I ended up crying with them.”
“I reminded them that God loves them, that He is there for them. They were overwhelmed by their emotions.”
“They thanked me for treating them and spending time with them, that they wanted to be closer to God. That they haven’t felt this way in a very long time.”
“I cried along with them, it’s hard not to. These youths are gentle and kind. All they need is love.”
Netizens commended UEL for his work with the youths. Many said that these youths have been misunderstood their whole lives and to be accepted by a stranger makes them emotional.
Many prayed for UEL, saying that his kindness is needed in this world.
There are those who prayed for the youths, for them to continuously find strength in prayer and religion.
UEL mentioned that he placed some of the youths in a Tabligh movement to help them on their religious journey. A Tabligh is a Muslim missionary and revival movement aimed at spreading the message of Islam.
Indonesian street punks turning to religion is a movement that started in 1998. The Punk Muslim movement aims to empower street kids in the slum areas of Jakarta by providing religious education and social protection. They also fight against the negative stereotypes of punks and help to reintegrate these kids back into society.
However, despite having such a movement, there will be those that fall in between the cracks. Help from people like UEL is always welcomed as more can be done for these street kids.
Reporter’s Opinions: Despite the controversies that surround him, I admire how UEL chooses to focus on doing good for those in need.
Sometimes the best way to dispel negativity is to do good for the society.
May his kindness be accepted and returned to him tenfold.
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