A museum from the old house of the late Buya Syafi’i Maarif, a Muhammadiyah figure who died on 27 May 2022, located in Sijunjung regency, West Sumatera was launched on Monday (19/09). Besides being Muhammadiyah and national figure, he was currently proposed as a national hero.
The launching of the Buya Syafi’i Maarif Museum was initiated by Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Barat (UMSB) and is fully supported by the Regional Government of Sijunjung. The museum is a family residence of his late father in Jurong Calau, South Sumpur Kudus, Sumpur Kudus district, Sijunjung regency. “The house is a family residence from his father (Rumah Bako). When he was 18 months, he moved to this house because his mother passed away. It means that since he was young, Buya lived in the house before he moved to Java,” said his relative, Yusriati (62) in Sijunjung.
She mentioned that Syafi’i Maarif has been known for his modesty and wide range of perspectives since he was a child. Buya perpetually stayed at an old wooden-designed building constructed in 1925 every time he headed home that is far from the city. “The electricity in our village was generated in 2004, the road was repaired, and the mosque was built. Those were from Buya’s efforts. He has made significant contributions to the village,” she said.
The modest house stores well-kept documentation and his remains since the young Buya Syafi’i Maarif lived there. The building was never renovated. When reviewing the museum development, the Rector of UM Sumatera Barat, Riki Saputra mentioned that UMSB academicians were ready to continue the museum establishment and national hero proposal with communities and local government.
According to him, UMSB has started the national hero proposal by naming one of UM Sumatera Barat buildings after Syafi’i Maarif. “Buya is not only Muhammadiyah figure, not only Sijunjung figure, but he is also a teacher of the nation and world’s intellectuals and he deserves to be recognized as a national figure as his significant contribution for Sumbar and Indonesia in his lifetime,” Riki said. Riki and all UMSB civitas will start their proposal by establishing Buya Syafi’i Museum. “On behalf of UM Sumbar, I declare our intention to name him as the national hero. We will work hard to accomplish our intention. And it will become a historical destination, as the house where Bung Hatta was born in Bukittinggi,” he said.
The Vice Regent of Sijunjung, Iraddatillah responded positively and appreciated the starting point to initiate Buya as a national hero. “Buya Syafi’i is the teacher of the nation. The launching of his old house will be a large concern for Sijunjung youth to propose Buya as our national hero. For us, research from academicians, both professors and doctors, to scientific studies is hard. Therefore, we express our gratitude to UMSB that has similar intentions,” he said. He also mentioned that Buya Syafi’i has been offered the political position in West Sumatera, but he declined the position and he prompted government to developing nations and reminded them to change perspective to accept constructive criticism as input. “Sijunjung Hospital will be named after his (Syafi’i Maarif) name to honor the teacher of the nations. It will be a supporting momentum. The regional government will also support,” he said.
