THE suns rays at zuhur noon prayer began to burn through the gaps of the huge awning. The 2,000-odd people who had crammed into the courtyard of the mosque and Pesantren K.H. A.K.N. Marzuki suddenly stood up as one and looked towards the back without being instructed to do so. The welcoming speech was halted, replaced by the strains of the Selawat Badr chant to welcome the arrival of the anxiously awaited guest.

Joined by his wife and adjutant, th