International Silat Federation | Harvard University

		Harvard University Muslim Alumni
		Inaugural Event Description
		Lecturer: Sh. Bapak Waleed
	On June 11, 2005, the Harvard University Muslim Alumni (HUMA) held its Inaugural Alumni Reception and General Assembly Meeting at Winthrop House on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, MA. This event was part of the university-wide Annual Reunion Festival coordinated by the Harvard Alumni Association. It was significant in that it marked the formal inception of this important alumni organization. With that in mind, HUMA invited Sh. Bapak Waleed of the International Silat Federation to be their key-note speaker. The program consisted of a lecture and performance of Silat Tuo Minang. In addition, Sh. Bapak Waleed spoke on the importance of community service and outreach.
Sh. Bapak Waleed opened the program with a benediction and welcomed all in attendance. He then reminded them of their ultimate goal: to serve God and in doing so, to serve mankind. He emphasized the primacy of reaching out to communities both domestically and around the globe. The time is now to build bridges between one another and to open those channels of mutual assistance and cooperation. A very effective and peaceful manner of making these connections is through inviting people together to celebrate the arts, theater, music, and cultural traditions. Sh. Bapak Waleed advised HUMA members to devote their resources to these forms of community sharing and education. Sh. Bapak Waleed especially encouraged the audience to communicate the diversity and multiculturalism inherent in the worldwide Muslim community. He related his own experience of sharing the beauty of Indonesian culture to accomplish precisely that goal. Such displays are an important part of dispelling negative stereotypes as well as showcasing the many varied and wonderful aspects of Islamic culture. Next Sh. Bapak Waleed dazzled and captivated the audience with his demonstration of the graceful, fluid, and powerful movements of Silat Tuo Minang, Seni Silat Haqq, Satria Muda, and Kumango. You could hear a pin drop. It was clear that no one in attendance had ever before met the like of Sh. Bapak Waleed.
	Dozens of Harvard University Alumni were in attendance, and some were even accompanied by their families. In addition, community members came from other Boston area campuses as well, including from MIT and from Boston University, for the sole purpose of meeting Sh. Bapak Waleed. During the breaks in the program, the audience flocked around Sh. Bapak Waleed in order to gain some in sight into the beauty of Indonesian culture, arts and dance, and also to seek his advice regarding natural healing and even community service outreach. Sh. Bapak Waleed has been and continues to be incredibly supportive of the Harvard Muslim community and their efforts towards cultural education and outreach. His presence at the Reception was sufficient to make the event a success. His support ensured that all went smoothly even during the General Assembly Meeting which included both an introduction to and a discussion of the mission and goals of the group. HUMA shared its sincere gratitude toward and support of Sh. Bapak Waleed by presenting him with an award plaque at the end of the day. The award and recognition of Global Achievement and Service was presented to the esteemed Sh. Bapak Waleed on behalf of the Interim Executive Board of HUMA.