Muslim Admiral Popular in Indonesia
Among Indonesian people, The Hajj of Mohammad Cheng Hoo, also known as Admiral Mohammad Cheng Hoo or Ma Zheng He, has been popular among society especially Chinese people in Indonesia. Though he has been known as Sam Po Kong and according to ‘Sam Po Kong di Indonesia’ written by Prof. Kong Yuang Zhi, Javanese people knew him as Dampo Awang.
Admiral Mohammad Cheng Hoo also named Ma Hoo was a model society that was bestowed the name of Zheng (Cheng) by the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty in the year of Yong Le, then his name became Ma Cheng Hoo. As a seaman, he has a reputation as the first and biggest expedition leader who sailed across continents through the years. As a dedicated Moslem, Cheng Hoo should be once the pride of all Moslems.
From the explanation above, we can conclude that Cheng Hoo is an expert seaman who is also a management expert. In his voyages, he succeeded leading more or less 27.000 crews from different tribes, religions, and races. This fact proves that Cheng Hoo expert in management. Besides, Cheng Hoo is also an expert in politics and a delegation of peace.
Cheng Hoo is a pious Moslem and tolerant of other religions. Through his seventh voyages, he always made good relations with countries being visited, based on the Quran. Cheng Hoo's sailing experiences proved that in his journey there was a perfect tolerant act toward other tribes and beliefs. To memorize his contributions many people from different tribes and beliefs try to honor him in their ways.
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Cheng Hoo's Expedition Around The World
As a seaman, the world has admitted that the expedition of Admiral Mohammad Cheng Hoo has had huge historical value until now. His great voyage was also admitted by the world’s historian and its value was the same with other famous seaman, i.e. Marco Polo and Colombus.
The first expedition of Admiral Mohammad Cheng Hoo began on 11 July 1405 AD. Some of this expedition had performed for 26 years until 1433 AD, followed by 200 vessels with 28.000 sailors and visited 38 countries in Asia and Africa. Through this expedition, Admiral Mohammad Cheng Hoo built bilateral relationships in politics and trading with other countries he visited during the expedition, then his most successful voyage also known as the ‘Silk and Ceramic Road’
Through this seventh expedition across the world, Admiral Mohammad Cheng Hoo always visited Indonesia. At Java island, Admiral Mohammad Cheng Hoo built a mosque and musholla, i.e. a mosque in Gedung Batu located at Semarang which is now known as the Temple of Sam Po Kong and also could be found some musholla in Ancol, Cirebon, Tuban, Gresik, Surabaya and Pasuruan.
The expedition team led by Admiral Mohammad Cheng Hoo was compiled neatly fleet with highly responsible and competent sailors. This expedition was spectacular and also delivered new cultures to both China and the countries visited by Admiral Mohammad Cheng Hoo. A memorial building was built at Khun Yang, China to respect his dedication, also Tai Ping Park at Nanking was then changed to The Hajj of Mohammad Cheng Hoo’s Park by the Emperor, he ordered to renovate and build a mosque inside the park. The expedition of Admiral Mohammad Cheng Hoo was performed 83 years before Bartolomeus Diaz found Cape of the Good Hope in South Africa (1488), also before the expedition of Vasco da Gama (1498), Christopher Colombus (1492) and Ferdinand Magellan (1519).
Fun Fact About Cheng Hoo, Columbus and Gama
Destination:
- Cheng Hoo: Entered the Red Sea until the east coast of Africa
- Christopher Colombus: Found America’s continent and its massive shipping
- Vasco da Gama: Found the massive shipping from Europe - India
Navigation:
- Cheng Hoo: 7 times
- Christopher Colombus: 4 times
- Vasco da Gama : 4 times
Navigation period:
- Cheng Hoo : 1405 – 1433
- Christopher Colombus: 1492 – 1504
- Vasco da Gama : 1497 – 1498
Total crews:
- Cheng Hoo: 27.000 crews
- Christopher Colombus: 1.500 crews
- Vasco da Gama: 1.600 crews
Total ships:
- Cheng Hoo: 62 large ships and 100 small ships
- Christopher Colombus: 17 ships
- Vasco da Gama: 4 ships
Measurement:
- Cheng Hoo: 147 x 60 meter
- Christopher Colombus: 24,5 x 6 meter
- Vasco da Gama : 120 tons
the article quoted from The Hajj of Mohammad Cheng Hoo Foundation
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