Born in Jakarta in 1870, Habib Ali bin Abdurrahman al-Habsyi was among the most influential Betawi scholars of the 20th century and a pioneer of the renowned taklim (study assembly) at Kwitang. He founded the Ar-Riyadh Mosque around 1938 and taught generations of students. He died on 13 October 1968. His tomb within the Ar-Riyadh Mosque, alongside those of his son and grandson, is a much-visited pilgrimage site.