Indonesian Celebrity’s Children Call Umrah Guide “Father”
Recently, a heartwarming yet unusual story emerged from a recent Umrah pilgrimage.Inara Rusli, a well-known Indonesian artist, took her three children on a religious journey to Mecca. What made headlines wasn’t the trip itself, but a detail that captured the attention of the public: her children affectionately referred to their Umrah guide as “father.”
The guide, Hendra Zayn, a muthawif (a guide for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims), recently spoke about the experience. He shared that this was his first time guiding a group with three children. “I often play with children; basically, I like children,” Zayn explained. “If I bring children, I’m close to the congregation’s children too. They feel very comfortable asking me for anything,” he added, recalling his time with Rusli’s family.
zayn further clarified his relationship with the children, stating, “If you say it’s closer, we’re not even a month away, but almost every day the children keep looking for [me], sending [messages] to Uncle Hendra, that’s how it is, and we were able to meet him happily, takabarkallah.”
When asked about the children calling him “father,” zayn attributed it to their innocent nature and comfort level with him. He noted, “Yes, maybe it’s just because it’s comfortable, or because if we call the congregation father and mother, not father and mother, yes, for me, maybe there. The youngest child who started out still being innocent is just random, suddenly calling him father and mother may feel comfortable. If ‘Sis Inara’ said that small children can feel sincerity.” This highlights the strong bond formed during their shared spiritual journey.
zayn also shared that guiding a celebrity presented no significant challenges.He described Rusli as humble and elegant, recalling, “Bring an artist, just try to be normal. Sis Inara, masyaallah, is humble, there are no significant challenges.The first time when I picked you up at the airport, everyone said Sis Inara was elegant.”
This story offers a glimpse into the human side of celebrity life and the unexpected connections forged during religious pilgrimages. It also underscores the importance of cultural understanding, as the children’s actions reflect a different cultural context than what many U.S. readers might be accustomed to.
Indonesian Celebrity‘s Children Call Umrah Guide “Father” - An Interview
Senior Editor, world-today-news.com: Welcome back to our World Today Blog. Today, we’re discussing a heartwarming story that emerged from a recent Umrah pilgrimage. Joining us is Dr. Siti Aminah, an expert in Indonesian culture and religious practices, to shed more light on teh unique situation. Dr. Aminah, thanks for joining us.
Dr.Siti Aminah: It’s my pleasure to be here.
Senior Editor: This story involves Indonesian celebrity Inara Rusli and her three children, who affectionately called their Umrah guide, hendra Zayn, “father” during their pilgrimage. Can you help us understand this from a cultural perspective?
Dr. Aminah: Certainly. In indonesian culture, familial terms like “father” and “mother” are frequently enough used as terms of respect and endearment, especially within a community setting or during spiritual journeys. It doesn’t always necessarily imply a biological relationship.
ayla,these children deeply connected with their Umrah guide. He provided guidance, support, and likely made them feel safe and cared for during a meaningful religious experience.This deep connection could have led them to instinctively use these familial terms as a way of expressing their affection and gratitude.
senior Editor: Zayn himself mentioned feeling a strong bond with the children and attributed it to his playful nature and genuine care for them. Does this resonate with Indonesian cultural values?
Dr. Aminah: Absolutely.Indonesian culture strongly values warmth, hospitality, and caring for others, especially children. It’s not uncommon for older individuals to be treated with respect and affection, akin to family members, even if they are not biologically related.
Senior Editor: This story highlights some significant cultural nuances that might be unfamiliar to readers outside of Indonesia.Do you have any advice for our readers on how to approach such situations with sensitivity and understanding?
Dr. aminah: It’s essential to remember that cultural expressions of respect and affection can vary greatly. What might seem unusual in one culture can be perfectly normal in another. Approaching such situations with open-mindedness, curiosity, and a willingness to learn can foster greater understanding and recognition for different cultures.
Senior Editor: This is valuable insight,Dr. Aminah. Thank you for sharing your expertise and helping us understand this heartwarming story through a cultural lens.
Dr. Siti Aminah: My pleasure. It was a meaningful discussion.
