SINCE she was young, Annisa, the daughter of a pesantren leader, just closed to her distant of cousin her mother, Lek Khudori, who lived with them. Because, just Khudori could understand her feelings, thoughts, desires, and ideals. While parents who uphold cultural traditions in their environment, it makes Annisa felt confined freedom just because she's a woman. In fact, she felt her father's favoritism toward her, because the two brothers, Rizal and Wildan, given the freedom to do whatever he likes.
Annisa was essentially a rebel type, although forbidden by her father to learn to ride a horse because women do not deserve to do so is considered pecicilan or petakilan, but she secretly still learn from Khudori. She has also been protested the number of obligations that must be endured as a woman at home, helping her mother in the kitchen and other housekeeping tasks to the house, while his brother left to lazy though by reason of learning. That was why, Annisa felt very sad when Lek Khudori should leave her to continue his studies in Cairo.
The days without Lek Khudori at her side, for Annisa was torture. Because there was no person who could understand and defend her anymore. Nevertheless, the tempestuous soul remain. She often asked critical questions to the religious teachers, if any instruction which she considers unfair to the women. She also had a narrow squeak when they wanted to come to the cinema to watch a movie that always forbidden for. However Annisa really helpless when he betrothed by her family without his consent. She was still very young and wanted the school can only be paused, confused and scared. Due regard silence as consent, Nisa was married to Shamsuddin, the son of his father's friends are equally kyai pesantren leaders.
Since Nisa first saw him. she did not liked him. Especially when the first night, Shamsuddin forced her to serve him. He raped her. Make Nisa felt sick and disgusted. In fact, she's really a fever at last. The doctor who examined her to her had a rest. But her husband still insisted.
Only the encouragement of Lek Khudori through his letters made Annisa survived. Her mind focused only on learning and school. Even when a widow named Kulsum came and claimed the baby she was pregnant was Shamsuddin’s, Nisa nonchalant and let her parent in law made the decision. She also did not care when Kulsum become even lived with them. Apparently, all were not made Shamsuddin’s behavior better. Even after having a child from Kulsum, Shamsuddin still liked to play outside the house, and got a relationship with another widow named Denok. Finally, because feeling the same, Kulsum became close to Nisa, and felt just like sisters.
After finishing his scholars in Cairo and went on his S2 in Berlin, Lek Khudori was back. Annisa deliberately go on leave from the school to greet him her parents’ house who entered into salvation. In the midst of a crowd guests, they took off the miss. Annisa shed the feelings and sufferings to tell Khudori. Her mother, who had heard the request Annisa storytelling. Nisa initially hesitated to tell the bitter truth to her mother's household. But because pressed, she honetly told about her husband's misdeeds to her. Her mother was surprised and shocked. Moreover Annisa tend to blame parents, who considered forcing her to marry with Shamsuddin. His mother also conveyed this to his father. Family meeting was convened to resolve the problem. Finally all agreed to send representatives to negotiate with Shamsuddin's family. Decided to divorce to marriage negotiations Annisa and Shamsuddin.
Annisa was back to live with her parents. Proximity Nisa and Lek Khudori invited gossip and slander that developed in their neighborhood. Mother asked Nisa, while her father was interrogating Khudori. Khudori acknowledged the relationship between them, although that develops in the community is too excessive. Khudori then asked to leave the house.
To avoid further rumors, Nisa also delivered to continue her study to Yogya. Busy life on campus made her forget the suffering. One day, Khudori appeared in front of her. Apparently, he was a lecturer at the two campuses. He wanted her to marry him. After thinking about it, Annisa finally accepted. They were married in a simple ceremony.
But marriage did not run smoothly because of the trauma of the first night when Annisa married with Shamsuddin. Fortunately, Khudori understood his wife's condition and willing to be patient. A few days later, they finally managed to overcome the trauma. Originally they had plans to postpone having children. But because of Annisa’s jealousy of the gossip that said Khudori ever married and had children in Berlin, this plan was canceled. Annisa pregnant.
One day, Nisa, Khudori, and Mahbub, their child, met Syamsuddin and Kulsum in a wedding party. Syamsuddin wanted to deny, but Khudori blocked him. In Annisa’s eyes, Syamsuddin hated them dan kept the hatred. In the other hand Kulsum and Fadillah looked happy. Annisa knew from Kulsum, the rumour about Khudori’s marriage in German was shaed by Syamsuddin to ruin their good name.
Some time later, Khudori got an accident. Annisa suspected Syamsuddin hit him, so Khudori experiened bleeding in the head and died. But she did not want to prejudice because she had no real evidence.
Indonesian Title : Perempuan Berkalung Sorban
Author : Abidah El Khalieqy
Publisher : Arti Bumi Intaran Cetakan II Juli 2008
