Al-Azhar Seni Bela Diri was founded on April 20, 1970 at Masjid Agung Al-Azhar, in Jakarta Indonesia. Al-Azhar Seni Bela Diri was founded by the late Muhammad Sufiyono (Kak Yon) and Djauharul Abidin Bakir. In the early stage of this Pencak Silat school, it had no name. However, by the request of one the top religious leaders at that time, Buya Hamka, this school formalized and became an official organization. Buya Hamka asked to put the “Al-Azhar” word in the organization name. Kak Yon finally named the Pencak Silat school as Al-Azhar Seni Bela Diri. One of the distinctive features of Al-Azhar Pencak Ssilat, in terms of spirituality is that it is clean and free from any magic or superstitions. While In terms of techniques, the origins of Pencak Silat Al-Azhar derived from East Javanese Pencak Silat. East Javanese pencak silat is not as popular as West Javanese Pencak Silat. However, this style of pencak silat is one of the oldest style and has given significant contribution to national pencak silat development.
History
The roots of pencak silat Al-Azhar started from a respected warrior/pendekar (master) of pencak silat named Syahirudin, who lived at the end of 18th century in Situbondo, East Java. Syahirudin had two disciples: Ismail Fadhilah and Mat Jami. Traditionally, Pedekars would not give all their ilmu (knowledge) to one student. Ismail Fadillah was given the bela diri (self-defense) knowledge and Mat Jami was given the tenaga dalam (inner power) knowledge. Eastern Javanese pencak silat style has often been derided for its lack of rhythm and stiffness, but it became more artistic with the influence of Pak Ismail Fadhilah.
Ismail Fadhilah later had two disciples, Muhammad Sufiyono (Kak Yon) and Djauharul Abidin Bakir. Muhammad Sufiyono was born December 16th, 1954. Among all of Ismail Fadhilah students, two of the best were Muhammad Sufiyono and Djauharul abidin Bakir. Both of them started practicing with Ismail Fadhilah from the age of 10 to 18 years old. Thereafter, they went to Jakarta and established the pencak silat school named Al-Azhar Seni Bela Diri. Incidentally at that time, Djauharul Abidin Bakir had to go back to Situbondo, while Muhammad Sufiyono stayed in Jakarta and developed Al-Azhar Seni Bela Diri.
Muhammad Sufiyono did not only learned from one teacher, but he also studied from other martial art styles and masters. Some of his influences included Perisai Diri, Karate, Wushu, Kempo, etc. He was an excellent communicator, and with that leadership he was able to lobby all parties related to pencak silat school, either from the government or people surrounding him. With good communication skills, he received tremendous support and many instructors from other martial arts were also willing to join Al-Azhar Seni Bela Diri pencak silat school. If any of his students wished to open a branch (granted they were ready), he would immediately make a letter of appointment and approve the student to become an instructor. In a short period of time, Al-Azhar Seni Bela Diri had open branches througout Indonesia (Bengkulu, Tasik, Malang, and Jambi) and overseas (Australia,Germany, South Africa, and USA). He dreamed of Al-Azhar Seni Bela Diri to spread all over the world and be able to hold a world championship event.
Muhammad Sufiyono passed away in May 15th, 1991.
Techniques
In terms of technique development for the school, Muhammad Sufiyono did not hesitate to invite other masters from any other martial arts to teach and practice together with his students or even asked them to join Al-Azhar Seni Bela Diri school.
Below is a video of the Al Azhar Martial Arts movement created by Mochammad Ichsan (Ka.Ichsan) – Member of the Al Azhar Martial Arts Teacher Council. The Al Azhar Martial Arts Exercise Martial Arts is divided into 6 (six) exercises, each exercise has 4 movements and is moved to 4 (four) directions of the compass.
Below is a video of a Jurus or form that will be used for upcoming ASBD (Al-Azhar Silat Bela Diri) tournaments.
