Syekh Abdurrahman bin Husin Faloga's Intellectual Environment
📌 Pontianak's culture, deeply rooted in Islamic tradition ("Adat bersendi syarak, syarak bersendi kitabullah"), shaped the upbringing of Syekh Abdurrahman.
🧕 He studied under prominent local scholars, including Al Habib Saleh bin Alawi Al-Haddad and Syekh Abdul Ghani Mahmud Al-Yamani, the first head of the Sharia Court (Mahkamah Syariah) in West Kalimantan.
📚 Syekh Abdul Ghani Mahmud Al-Yamani was known for profound knowledge in Fiqh and Falak (astronomy), disciplines Syekh Abdurrahman mastered.
🗣️ Another key teacher was Ustaz Saman Thayib, described as the "Ustaz Abdul Somad of Pontianak" due to his impactful lectures and writings.

Scholarly Dedication and Learning Style
📌 Syekh Abdurrahman maintained an intense study habit, reportedly unable to sleep without reading a book/manuscript until his passing.
🎓 He completed his 6 years of *pesantren* study in Bangil quickly, finishing two years of curriculum annually, suggesting exceptional aptitude.
💡 He was advanced in his reading, utilizing thinkers like Dr. Yusuf Al-Qardawi and Ahmad Ratib Nabulsi long before they were widely known in Pontianak.
📚 His study methods involved seeking out and mastering advanced texts, including those using *Hasyiah* (advanced commentaries), surpassing standard curriculum found in Java.

Manuscript Collection and Preservation Efforts
📜 Syekh Abdurrahman developed a deep passion for ancient manuscripts, often acquiring and thoroughly reading old texts dating back to 1100 or 1200 Hijriah (up to 400 years old).
🌍 He was recognized by the National Library (Perpusnas) for his advanced knowledge in manuscript care, employing techniques like using Japanese paper for repair, which met international standards of the time.
📜 The collection includes approximately 23 complete Qur'ans written between 1100–1200 H, written on both older Daluang paper (from tree fiber) and later European paper.
🏛️ The manuscripts are stored in three antique cabinets sourced directly from the Sultan's palace (Keraton), selected specifically for materials that maintain optimal humidity (not too damp, not too dry).

Legacy and Cultural Contribution
🎖️ Syekh Abdurrahman served as the West Kalimantan head for the Majelis Bestari, an intellectual council advising President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, impressing officials with his sharp, referenced analysis.
☪️ He established the Baofa Islamic Boarding School in 2000, where he was buried after his death in 2010 at the age of 42.
✍️ Demonstrating his commitment to local culture, he translated and transcribed approximately 40 pages of ancient Malay poetry manuscripts from the Keraton family into Latin script.

Key Points & Insights
➡️ The high quality of local religious education in West Kalimantan produced scholars whose expertise, such as in Falak, matched or exceeded contemporary standards elsewhere.
➡️ Deep immersion in foundational texts and continuous learning (even after formal schooling) was the core driver behind Syekh Abdurrahman's recognized scholarly depth.
➡️ The region possesses a vast, potentially undervalued heritage of manuscripts, as evidenced by Dr. Anabel Galop calling the collection a "treasure trove."
➡️ Proper preservation requires meticulous attention to environmental control (humidity/temperature) and using appropriate repair materials (like Japanese paper) for ancient documents.

📸 Video summarized with SummaryTube.com on Nov 24, 2025, 07:30 UTC