Reviving Heritage and Faith: North Aceh Regent 'Ayah Wa' Leads 800th Anniversary Commemoration of Samudera Pasai
LHOKSUKONE, ACEH UTARA — Under the core spirit of "Tajaga Adat, Tapeukong Syariat" (Preserving Custom, Strengthening Islamic Sharia), North Aceh Regent H. Ismail A. Jalil, S.E., M.M.—popularly known as Ayah Wa—officially spearheaded the official ceremony for the 800th anniversary (Milad) commemoration of the historic Samudera Pasai Kingdom in North Aceh Regency.
The milestone commemoration was centered at the Landing Field ground in front of the North Aceh Regent’s Office complex, drawing participation from regional government officials, traditional leaders, Islamic scholars (ulama), and thousands of local residents.
During the ceremony, Regent Ayah Wa emphasized that the 800-year history of Samudera Pasai is not merely a tale of past glory, but an enduring moral blueprint for modern governance and community resilience. He reiterated that honoring history requires actionable commitments to upholding Islamic values, strengthening cultural customs (adat), and promoting regional growth.
Established in the 13th century (circa 1267 CE) under Sultan Malik us-Salih (Sultan Malikussaleh), Samudera Pasai holds a vital place in Southeast Asian history as the first major Islamic kingdom in the Nusantara archipelago. Located along the strategic Strait of Malacca, the realm served as a thriving international maritime trade hub connecting Muslim merchants from Arabia, Persia, and India with East Asian powers.
Beyond commerce, Samudera Pasai was the primary center for Islamic theology and education in the region, playing a pivotal role in the early Islamization of Sumatra, Java, and the Malay Peninsula. Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta visited the kingdom in 1345, recording in his travelogues that Sultan Malik al-Zahir was a devout ruler surrounded by renowned scholars of Islamic jurisprudence.
The week-long 800th anniversary event featured a series of cultural exhibitions, traditional Acehnese performances, dakwah lectures, and customary dress assemblies conducted in the native Acehnese language (Bahasa Aceh).
