By Shintya Ramadhani
From: Pekanbaru City, Riau Province, Indonesia
Attending: Sultan Syarif Kasim State Islamic University Riau, Faculty of Ushuluddin, Department of Quranic Studies and Tafsir
Age: 20 years old
The Tomb of Teungku Chik in Bitay is located in Turkish Housing, Bitai Village, Jaya Baru District, Banda Aceh City, Aceh Province, Indonesia. Teungku Chik in Bitay, whose full name was Muthalib Ghazi bin Mustafa Ghazi. This tomb is not only the final resting place of a respected scholar but also a silent witness to the deep historical connection between the Aceh Sultanate and the Ottoman Empire during the 16th century.
Background of Ottoman Aid to Aceh
Teungku Chik and the Ottoman forces were first called to Aceh following a letter sent by Sultan Alauddin Riayat Syah al-Kahhar to Suleiman the Magnificent in 1564 (possibly earlier). In the letter, Sultan Alauddin requested military assistance from the Ottoman Caliph to counter the growing Portuguese threat in Southeast Asia. Sultan Alauddin referred to the Ottoman ruler as the “Khalifah of Islam”, reflecting the deep political and spiritual ties between the two empires.
In response, Suleiman the Magnificent sent military aid, including soldiers, weapon-makers, engineers, and scholars to strengthen Aceh’s defense. After Suleiman’s death in 1566, his son Selim II continued his father’s policy and dispatched a fleet to Aceh in 1567, carrying soldiers, engineers, and essential military supplies to help Aceh in its battle against Portuguese colonialism.
It is told that Bitai was home to 300 Ottoman military experts who came to Aceh during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Bitai was located near the capital of the Aceh Sultanate and is remembered as the place where the Ottomans settled in Aceh. Upon arrival in Aceh, Bitay became the primary settlement for the Ottoman forces, who did not return to Turkey. The village’s name was later derived from Baitul Maqdis (Jerusalem), which gradually transformed into Bitay. Bitay also became known as the center of Zawiyah (Islamic academies) in Aceh and a place for military training, known as Bayt al-Askari Muqaddas. In addition to being a military training center, Bitay was also used for manufacturing military equipment, including the traditional Acehnese weapon, “rencong”.
Around 100 Turkish military instructors were specifically sent to train Acehnese forces in both the army and navy. Teungku Chik and other scholars played crucial roles in spreading Islam and introducing Ottoman culture to the people of Aceh. Teungku Chik became an integral part of this mission, staying in Aceh to teach religious knowledge and spreading the intellectual principles of Islam from the Ottoman world.
Military and Cultural Ties Between Aceh and the Ottomans
Historically, the Aceh Sultanate and the Ottoman Empire were two significant Islamic powers that cooperated in resisting Portuguese imperialism in the Southeast Asian region. Ottoman forces not only provided military assistance but also contributed to transforming military knowledge, particularly in weaponry and military education. One key achievement was the establishment of Bayt al-Askari Muqaddas, a military academy that produced Acehnese military leaders.
In addition to military assistance, the Ottoman expedition to Aceh facilitated intellectual and cultural exchanges between the two empires. The Ottomans brought advanced military technology, including weapons and fortifications, which strengthened Aceh’s defenses. This relationship also helped facilitate trade, with Aceh becoming one of the main trade routes linking the Islamic world from the Middle East and South Asia to Southeast Asia.
In terms of religion, the arrival of Ottoman scholars like Teungku Chik strengthened the spread of Islam in Aceh. They not only contributed to religious education but also brought the cultural influence of the Ottomans in various aspects of Acehnese life, including Islamic law, art, and architecture.
The Tomb of Teungku Chik as a Symbol of Brotherhood
This tomb, along with other Ottoman sites in Aceh, is a reminder of the longstanding friendship between the two great empires, who supported each other in the fight against Portuguese imperialism. It has become a highly respected site for the people of Aceh, and it is also of great interest to historians who wish to study international relations during this period.
Conclusion: The Tomb of Teungku Chik in Bitay as an Everlasting Historical Trace
The Tomb of Teungku Chik in Bitay is not only a historical site but also a symbol of the deep brotherhood between the Aceh Sultanate and the Ottoman Empire. Its location in Bitay, a village that became the center for Ottoman forces and scholars, reflects the close relationship between the two major Islamic powers of the 16th century. Through military assistance and the spreading of Islam, Ottoman scholars and military personnel, including Teungku Chik, played a vital role in strengthening Aceh’s defense and enriching its Islamic culture and traditions.
The Tomb of Teungku Chik in Bitay also serves as a silent witness to the joint resistance of Aceh and the Ottomans against Portuguese colonialism, as well as their combined efforts to strengthen Islam in the archipelago. As part of the Turkish Housing complex, this tomb reminds us of the significant contributions of Ottoman military experts, scholars, and leaders who settled in Aceh, leaving behind a profound cultural, intellectual, and spiritual legacy.
As a symbol of a long-standing friendship, the tomb is now a revered site for both the people of Aceh and researchers. It serves as an important reminder of the meaningful historical relationship between Aceh and the Ottoman Empire and how these two great Islamic powers united to fight for independence and faith.
References
- Reid, Anthony. “Turkey as Aceh’s Alternative Imperium.” Archipel, Vol. 87, 2014, p. 91.
- “Makam Teungku Chik di Bitay, Bukti Sejarah Kedekatan Kesultanan Turki dan Aceh pada Masa Lalu.” Serambi News, Selasa, 15 Februari 2022, 19:15 WIB. https://www.serambinews.com
- Wikipedia contributors. “Ottoman Embassy to Aceh.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman_embassy_to_Aceh
- “Berziarah ke Makam Pejuang dan Ulama Turki Utsmani di Banda Aceh.” 29 April 2024, 21:54 WIB. https://www.acehportal.com
- Norman, Iskandar. “Teungku Chik Di Bitay dan Jejak Turki di Aceh.” 14 September 2021. https://www.portalsatu.com
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