CAUSEWAY BAY | HONG KONG - Dai Cordofa Dompet Dhuafa Hong Kong (DDHK), Ustadz Muliadi, Saturday (2/11/2019) night, was trapped in demonstrations around the Wan Chai and Causeway Bay areas. He was also exposed to tear gas which was fired by the police at the protesters that night.
The next day, Ustadz Muliadi shared the chronology of the event to DDHKNews. “On Saturday, after returning from Tai Po, around 4 pm, I received information that there was a demonstration in the Causeway Bay area. I also get information on the group. From Tai Po I took bus number 307, majoring in Central, ”said a dai from Medan, North Sumatra.
"When the bus entered the Hong Kong Island area, the entrance to the North Point area was closed. The bus was diverted to another route without traffic jams and without stopping. Arriving in the Central area, the road is very jammed. The passengers were already panicking and wanted to get off the bus in a hurry. As soon as they arrived at the first stop (bus stop), almost all of the passengers got off. Only a few people remained on the bus, including me, ”said Ustadz Muliadi.
"Since this bus can still move, why can't I stay?" thought Ustadz Muliadi at that time.
It turned out that there were already many demonstrators near the bus stop blocking the road. Finally, not far from there, the driver asked all the surviving passengers to get off the bus. “After the bus left and one by one the passengers left the location where they were dropped off from the bus, I was left alone. At that time, I really didn't know which way to go towards the Causeway Bay area, ”he said.
“I also felt about which direction to go to Causeway Bay, where the office is Dompet Dhuafa Hong Kong are on. Alhamdulillah, at that time my cellphone was still alive, about a few percent of the remaining battery. I can still check directions via the Google Map app. The rest, I just rely on instinct, ”said Ustadz Muliadi.
He kept walking, taking the highway he believed led to Causeway Bay. “After walking for about half an hour, my legs started to feel sore and my stomach started to feel hungry, so I rested. Alhamdulillah, after filling out the study at the assembly, I was provided with lots of food, ”he continued, telling stories.
"After eating, I walked again. When I arrived in the Wan Chai area, I began to see many demonstrators. Many roads were blocked by them. It was in Wan Chai that I felt sore eyes and shortness of breath. Maybe it was because of the tear gas being fired here before. My eyes stinging and breathing slightly, I continued walking, through the crowd of demonstrators. Because I was absolutely sure, this is the road to Causeway Bay. What distinguished my fate from the protesters at that time, they used masks and other personal protective equipment, whereas I did not. Just wearing a black cap and jacket with a logo Dompet Dhuafa. I felt the pain in my eyes and tightness in my chest. However, I continued to remain among the crowd of demonstrators, ”said this ustadz who is doing his doctoral program at the University of Malaya, Malaysia.
Not long after, from a distance of about 10 meters from his position, Ustadz Muliadi witnessed demonstrators setting fire to the shop. The alarm went off and invited the police to come. After giving a warning, the police fired tear gas.
“I saw a lot of people running from the direction of Causeway Bay where I was. But I kept on walking towards the road home, until finally I could no longer hold back the pain in my eyes. I also escaped from the tear gas smoke, away from the location of the crowd of the demonstration. I wash my face with bottled mineral water that I bring. Alhamdulillah, there were several Hong Kong residents who came and helped clean their faces. They are the demonstrators, but the medical team. All are young. I was also given eye drops. Then, I sprayed my face to get rid of the painful effects of tear gas, "said Ustadz Muliadi.
After helping to put the stinging fluid in their eyes, they asked, "Where are you going and do you need help?" I said, “It's okay, I can go home alone. I'm going to Causeway Bay. "
After seeing the chasing action between the police and demonstrators in the area near the Sogo Causeway Bay shopping center, Ustadz Muliadi walked back to the DDHK office. “What an impressive night for me. Before, I had never seen a demonstration in Hong Kong live. It's only limited to hearing stories from friends here. But that night, not only witnessed it directly, but also felt the pain of being exposed to tear gas, ”he said. [Marlin]
