From Canada to Al Zaytun: A Journey to Find a True Home
By Dr. Ali Aminulloh, S.Ag. M.Pd.I. ME (Chair of MPAP and Lecturer at IAI Alazis)
A Long Journey from Jakarta to Canada
Peter Budiono Setiawan never imagined that the steps he took decades ago from Jakarta to Canada would one day lead him back to the deepest roots of humanity. Born to a Minang father and a Bangka mother, Peter spent his youth in the capital before moving to Canada in 1974. There, he studied, built a career in the garment industry, and then married a Chinese woman from Trinidad and Tobago.
But there was a price to pay. For love, Peter renounced his Indonesian citizenship due to regulatory constraints. His wife and five children are now Canadian citizens, and have never set foot in Indonesia. Peter interacts with his homeland more often through memories and digital screens. One such memory remains deeply ingrained: August 27, his birthday, and the date of Al Zaytun’s inauguration by President B.J. Habibie.
He had known Habibie personally, while acting as a business intermediary between the Canadian aviation industry and the BPPT (Indonesian Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology). From that meeting, Peter took home a quote from Habibie that has never faded: “Don’t forget Indonesia.” Those words were like an anchor that kept his soul tied to his homeland, even though his body had long lived in another part of the world.
Touched by Al Zaytun, Greeted Home
When Peter accidentally saw Al Zaytun’s post on social media, his heart trembled. He saw the inauguration plaque signed by Habibie, and his mind was immediately filled with a desire to come and see for himself this place touted as a future field of tolerance and education. He immediately emailed the Al Zaytun Education Secretariat and booked a ticket to Indonesia.
On August 4, 2025, his steps set foot on the Indonesian archipelago. At Al Zaytun, he was greeted by Ustaz Ali Aminulloh at the Al Islah Restaurant. His first glance immediately sparked admiration. He saw genuine friendliness, the independence radiating from the system, and the grand vision looming large in the integrated campus layout. “Amazing,” Peter said, his eyes sparkling. “Only someone with great vision could do this.”
Peter not only observed, he also participated. He presented a check for $1,000 from the Bank of Montreal as a token of his love and appreciation for the struggle he witnessed firsthand. What moved him even more was the tolerance and warmth he felt as a Catholic in a predominantly Muslim environment. At Al Zaytun, differences were not walls, but bridges. He was accepted not as an “other,” but as a brother.
From the Rahmatan Mosque to the Embrace of a Sheikh
The culmination of Peter’s spiritual journey occurred at the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Mosque. There, he not only witnessed the mosque’s architecture but also felt the pulse of a priceless value. With full permission, he entered, knelt, and shed tears. He felt God had led him to this place, where he was greeted not with Islamic teachings, but with love.
He also witnessed young students harvesting rice, treating wastewater with environmentally friendly technology, and producing their own food. Al Zaytun’s vision of integrated education truly opened his eyes: education that was down-to-earth, touching lives, and respecting the universe.
His meeting with Sheikh Al Zaytun marked the end of his long search. With tenderness, the Sheikh said: “From today on, you are our brother. Al Zaytun is your home. If you come to Indonesia, we have prepared a room at Al Islah for you.” Those words penetrated his heart. They were not mere pleasantries, but real love. Peter knew he wasn’t visiting—he had come home.
Epilogue: Home Isn’t Always About the Place
Peter Budiono Setiawan’s journey taught him one important lesson: home isn’t always about land, house, or blood—but about the heart finding its home again. At Al Zaytun, Peter finds family not because of bloodline, but because of the sincerity and human values that live within every corner of this institution.
Peter’s story is the story of all of us: that in a world increasingly divided by identity, there is a place that embraces everyone with the warm embrace of humanity. That is where true home lies.**
Indramayu,Indonesia, August 4,2025
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