Quran Cordoba - It was raining in Bandung that afternoon, May 30, 2025. After the ghurub, some of it had subsided and left its distinctive wetness and smell. How is Bandung after the rain, Pakji? Is it true what people say that Bandung is as beautiful and comfortable as it is after the rain? 

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Almost five full moons ago, that day I sat in a chair with the shy and confused style of a new kid. Pakji, as I knew him after being introduced by Mr. Rofi. "Ayi, Mr. Lutfi's team.", "Oh, yes... Vidi.", he said while flashing a faint smile that seemed to say, "Welcome to this noble house". His name is Pakji. One of the few names that have stuck in my memory as a new kid at that time. Not Mr. Vidi, but Pakji. 

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Perhaps it was me who missed him or maybe he was busy outside Sukajadi 215, like a star in the daytime, I rarely saw Pakji. Until recently, I often met, shook hands, and had a little chit-chat or just realized that Pakji was across from me sitting while staring at my laptop and discussing with Pak Lutfi. 

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It's still in my memory, not long ago, how Pakji delivered his analysis of online sales of book products from several other publishers. It is also still vivid how Pakji asked, "I like this ... This is nahawand, yes?" while offering the strains of the holy verse, "tsumma aurotsna al-kitaaba al-ladziina asthofainaa min 'ibaadina ... (Q.S. 35: 32)". I noticed, "Bayyati, Pakji...", I said confidently. 

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It is still warm in my ears and eyes, how Pakji enthusiastically despite his lack of stamina asked his futsal teammates to share the ball with him. That afternoon, the sky was bright and sunny, but who would have thought it would rain tomorrow? Who would have thought it would storm the day after? Who would have thought? Allah is the only one who knows everything.

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How is it, Pakji? How is Bandung after the rain? 

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After the rain that night, it may have subsided in some areas, but it grew in Cordoba. Pakji passed away, innaalillaahi wa innaa ilaihi raaji'un. Maybe it's just an assumption, but perhaps the sad and unexpected look I saw on Mr. Usman's face after hearing the news illustrates how Cordoba lost one of its best soldiers. It also illustrates how boisterous prayers and titles of loss echoed from each of his brothers' lips in Cordoba's whatsapp group. "Ya Allah, Mr. Vidi.....", it echoed.

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It's not a long time to get to know someone, whether this narrative is right or wrong, but this is the portrait I remember of him, Pakji. A rather funny, passionate and of course favorite Imam when prayers were not held at the Mosque, but in the middle of the working area on the first floor of Sukajadi 215. 

Now Pakji is at peace in the land of Bekasi. Although he is there, his merit and light will be eternal throughout Cordoba, in the millions of Cordoba Qur'an copies scattered around the world. Best wishes, Pakji. Sorry if I and perhaps some of your brothers and sisters in Cordoba were not able to take you to your eternal home there. 

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I don't know where the wind came from, but a voice moved me to write this obituary. Pakji, ... inshallah is part of the "faminhum saabiqun bi al-khoiraat" who get "fadhlu al-kabir" as his favorite verse (Q.S. 35: 32). Al-Faatihah...

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Ayi Yusri A. Tirmidzi

Kids & Books Editor