Tomb of Syeh Yusuf

SYEH Yusuf was a multi-race combatant, multi country, and persevere Islamic religious leader. The grave has an old character. Uniquely, Syeh Yusuf's tomb in Gowa is one of the five versions graves dispersed in three countries.

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SHORT HISTORY OF SYEH YUSUF

Syeh Yusuf was born in Tallo (Makassar) on July 13, 1626 (Syawal 8, 1036 on Arabic calendar). His nickname was Muhammad Yusuf. His mother was Aminah, daughter of Gallarang, Moncongloe, Gowa Kingdom. While who his father, historians still controverting until now.

When he born, Islam has become the official religion in Sultanate of Gowa. Aminah came from a rabble Family. Little Yusuf’s live picked up when his mother married with Sultan Alauddin, 14th King of Gowa. He was getting religious education until adult and become a persistent proponent of Islam.

Yusuf was a smart teenager. Therefore, he became a teacher and had a lot of students. He was also an anti colonialism idealist. At that time, VOC (Verenidge Oost-Indische Compagnie) or the Dutch company in east India are monopolize the trading strips in the archipelago, including in Gowa. His voice was shrill against the Dutch.

When he was 18 years old he gone to pilgrimage. From Mecca, he was laying over in Banten (Western Java). He repeated his visit in 1672 and decided to fight with Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa, King of Banten, after his country shattered because of war against the VOC.

Syeh Yusuf still fighting even when Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa had been disabled. On December 14, 1683 he was then arrested in Sukapura, Tasikmalaya, West Java, and exiled to Batavia. September 1684, he was exiled again to Sri Lanka. Syeh Yusuf not cured, he still fighting against the Dutch in Sri Lanka. July 1993, with 49 followers he was removed along to South Africa.

Although far away from the land of birth, his activities still continue. He continued to teach Islam religion there. During six years in South Africa, he spent the rest of his life to teach about justice and peace. Together local people fight against colonialism.

Syeh Yusuf died on May 23, 1699 whwn he was 73 years old. Sultan Gowa and Sultan of Banten scrambled asked the Dutch to bury his body. On April 5, 1704, the chest bringing Syeh Yusuf’s bones arrived in Makassar and immediately buried in Lakiung, Gowa. But is it true Syeh Yusus who lie? Syeh Yusuf’s tombs also contained in Banten, Madura, Sri Lanka, and Cape Town. God Omniscient.