Nahdlatul Ulama is an Islamic organization in Indonesia. Its membership numbered over 95 million in 2021, making it the largest Islamic organization in the world. NU is also a charitable body funding schools and hospitals as well as organizing communities to help alleviate poverty.
Kyai Haji Ahmad Dahlan, often abbreviated to K.H. Ahmad Dahlan, was an Indonesian Muslim religious leader and revivalist, who established the Muhammadiyah organization. Which would become one of the largest Muslim organizations in Indonesia, second only to the Nahdlatul Ulama. Born in Kauman, Yogyakarta, he was the son of an imam of a local mosque and traced his origins from the lineage of Muhammad. Ahmad Dahlan performed the Hajj pilgrimage when he was 15 years old, and he lived in Mecca for another five years.
Mohammad Natsir was an Islamic scholar and politician. He was Indonesia's fifth prime minister.
Kyai Haji Hasyim Asy'ari was an Indonesian ulama, National Hero and founder of Nahdlatul Ulama.
Bengkalis was the seat (capital) of Bengkalis Regency in the Riau province of Indonesia until 8 July 2013, when it became an independent city. It is located on Bengkalis Island. The city had a population of 66,211.
Idham Chalid was an Indonesian politician, religious leader, and minister, who served as Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly and Chairman of the People's Representative Council from 1972 until 1977. He was also a prominent leader of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and leader of the United Development Party (PPP), from 1956 until 1984.
Musabaqah Tilawatil Quran is an Indonesian Islamic religious festival held at national level, aimed at glorification of the Qur'an. On this festival, participants compete at reciting Al-Qur'an employing qira'at.
The Distinguished Order of Meritorious Service is a Malaysian federal award presented for meritorious service to the country.
Kota santri is an epithet used in Indonesia, predominantly in Java, given to a region historically important in the context of Islamic education. The term santri generally means a Muslim student who studies at pesantren, an Islamic boarding school indigenous to the Indonesian archipelago.
Mohammad Syafaat Mintaredja, was an Indonesian politician and government official, who served as the 18th Minister of Social Affairs, from 1971 until 1978. A member and leader of the United Development Party, he served as the party's first chairman, from 1973 until 1978.
Syamsuar is an Indonesian politician who is the Governor of Riau between 2019 and 2023, and had previously served as Regent of Siak Regency between 2011 and 2019.
Tuan Guru Haji Ahmad was an Indonesian ulama, teacher, and trader. He was known as the first ulama in the Bengkalis Regency.
Imam Munandar was an Indonesian military officer who also served as the governor of Riau between 1980 and his death in 1988. He was primarily active within the Kodam V/Brawijaya, and was appointed as governor in 1980 following his predecessor's death. He secured his second term in 1985 despite local opposition, after his opponent was forced to resign his candidacy.
Haji Zakaria bin Muhammad Amin was an Indonesian ulama, politician, writer, and patriarch of the Zakaria family from Bangkinang, Kampar. He was an ulama in Bengkalis Regency, and was the first head of Islamic religious administration in Bengkalis. Zakaria was the son in law of Tuan Guru Haji Ahmad, the first ulama of Bengkalis Regency, who along with him founded Al-Khairiyah, the first Islamic boarding school in Bengkalis Regency, in 1937, and teaching there until 1943. He was also the founder of MDTA Mahbatul Ulum, an Islamic school made as successor for Al-Khairiyah, in 1963, and Al-Ishlah Mosque, to support the teaching activities at MDTA Mahbatul Ulum, which both operates until now. In 2023, Zakaria was posthumously awarded the title of Regional Hero of Riau by the Riau Regional People's Representative Council. He became the subject of Zakaria: Pahlawan Dalam Kenangan, a documentary film from the thanksgiving ceremony of his regional hero awarding.
Abdullah Nur, also known as Andak Dolah, was an Indonesian ulama, soldier, and politician.
Andris Wasono is an Indonesian civil servant. He served as Assistant for Government and People's Welfare, and Regional Secretary of Bengkalis Regency starting on 1 September 2021.
Rita Puspa Zakaria, also known as Rita Puspita, is an Indonesian civil servant, lecturer, teacher, activist, and actress who currently serving as the Vice Director of the Bengkalis Regional General Hospital and Fourth Deputy Chairman of Empowerment of Family Welfare in Bengkalis Regency, Riau, Indonesia. She is known as a women leader in Bengkalis who made various contributions in public health by inventing programs to improve community nutrition, reduce maternal mortality rates, and reduce children stunting. Zakaria is the daughter of ulama Zakaria bin Muhammad Amin and actress Siti Zainab, and is the younger sister of educator Gamal Abdul Nasir Zakaria.
Kasmarni is an Indonesian politician who currently serves as 15th Bengkalis Regent from 2021 until 2026 and became the first woman to held the position.
Siti Zainab binti Kimpal, credited as Zainab, also known as Inab or Ibu Zainab, was an Indonesian actress, singer, dancer, homemaker, who was active in the 1940s and 1950s. She was known for her appearance in Singapore and Malay film industry along with Kasma Booty, Siput Sarawak, and P. Ramlee. Zainab was the second wife of Zakaria bin Muhammad Amin, an ulama, as well the mother of 7 children, including Gamal Abdul Nasir Zakaria and Rita Puspa Zakaria. Her career were cut short after her marriage when she decided to retired for taking care of her husband's children from previous marriage.
Ibrahim bin Ismail (1917–2005), also known as Usu Ibrahim, was an Indonesian Shafi'i school ulama from Bengkalis. He was known as the spreader of the Tarekat Sayyidil Mursalin in Bengkalis, a religious practice that comes from the book Maslaku Ar-Raghibin fi Thoriqoti Al-Sayyidi Al-Mursalin written by Ahmad Khatib al-Minangkabawi.
