THE religious figures known as kiai usually live in pure environments such as the complex of a pesantren (Islamic boarding school) or near a mosque. However, this kiai is a bit unusual. His home is in front of an alleyway on Jalan Alun-alun Bangunsari, a major prostitution area in Surabaya. It is almost as large as similar red-light districts in Dolly, Jarak, Tambaksari, and Moroseneng.

There are about 100 brothels in this complex, which serve as