Jakarta mosques reflect various cultures of city<\/p>\n
Text by Rita A. Widiadana photos by Mulkan Salmona<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): For Moslems, a mosque, be it big or small,
\nsymbolizes eternal tranquility. A mosque is a very important
\nplace for religious activities, and as a cultural and a
\ninformation center.<\/p>\n
The development of mosques in Indonesia reflects the
\nhistorical, social and even political conditions of the period in
\nwhich the building was constructed.<\/p>\n
Islam penetrated Indonesia countries through Penetration
\npacifique. Its propagators never intended to eliminate existing
\ncultures and traditions.<\/p>\n
It was Moslem traders from Gujarat, India, who actively
\ndisseminated Islam teachings in Indonesia through trading and
\nmarriage with local women. In Java, for instance, Moslem
\npreachers disseminated their teachings through wayang kulit
\n(leather puppet) shows. The shows were originally Hindu.<\/p>\n
According to noted architect Achmad Noeman, who designed the
\nSalman Mosque in Bandung, Indonesian mosques have adopted
\nelements from various cultures. Early mosques blended Islam,
\nHindu and Chinese architectural styles.<\/p>\n
The roofs, for example, varied from flat tiers (Chinese) to
\ntiered domes (Arabic) to flat domes (Hindu). The main gates to
\nmany mosques were richly decorated with Chinese or Hindu
\narchitectural elements.<\/p>\n
Architecture was also adjusted to the environment. In the l7th
\nand 18th centuries, mosques in Jakarta were built beside rivers,
\nareas which functioned as the city's business centers. These
\nmosques functioned as worship and meeting places for ulemas,
\nMoslem traders and local inhabitants.<\/p>\n
Today, Jakarta has more than a thousand mosques. The largest
\ninclude the Istiqlal Great Mosque, the largest mosque in
\nSoutheast Asia, on Jl. Lapangan Banteng in Central Jakarta, the
\nCut Muthiah Mosque in Central Jakarta, and the Al-Azhar Mosque in
\nSouth Jakarta. These new mosques are important to the religious
\nactivities of urban Moslems.<\/p>\n
A mosque's importance to a local community is reflected in
\ndaily life. Jakarta has hundreds of streets and alleys named
\nJalan Mesjid (Mosque street) or Gang Mesjid (Mosque alley).
\nSimilar names are found throughout the country.<\/p>\n
Jakarta also has several old, historical mosques. Only a few,
\nhowever, are included on the city's heritage list. Some old
\nmosques have been renovated by the city administration, but many
\nothers are facing demolition to make way for new projects.<\/p>\n
The city administration has taken steps to preserve some old
\nmosques; witnesses to the social, political and economic life of
\nan earlier period.<\/p>\n
Based on information from a historical book on Jakarta
\nentitled Historical Sight of Jakarta, the old mosques include:<\/p>\n
The Luar Batang Mosque, a mosque built in l739 near Sunda
\nKelapa Harbor in North Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The two-story mosque blends traditional Javanese and Hindu
\narchitectural styles. The main gate is decorated by reliefs
\nsimilar to carvings on Javanese Hindu temples. This architectural
\nstyle is also found at several mosques in Banten and Cirebon in
\nWest Java, and in Demak, Central Java.<\/p>\n
The Luar Batang Mosque is one of the city's few tourist
\nattractions. Inside the mosque is the tomb of the famous preacher
\nSayid Husein bin Abubakar bin Abdillah al-Aidrus. He is believed
\nto have been buried there in l756. Records reveal that the crypt
\nwas constructed in l798. The preacher is said to be a direct
\ndescendant of the Prophet Muhammad. Many pilgrims visit the
\nmosque and the tomb, which they consider sacred.<\/p>\n
Tubagus Angke Mosque, now called Alanwar mosque. Located on
\nJl. Pangeran Tubagus Angke in the downtown area, the mosque was
\nbuilt in l761. The area was originally known as Kampoeng Bali
\n(Balinese village) and was established in l687.<\/p>\n
The street is named after Prince Tubagus Angke, who came from
\nthe Banten Sultanate in West Java, and was the ruler of Jayakarta
\n(old Jakarta) in the 16th century. He was the father of Prince
\nJayawikarta, the founder of Jayakarta.<\/p>\n
The mosque was built by a Chinese architect for the Balinese
\nMoslem community living in the village. The Balinese were sent to
\nold Jakarta as slaves or soldiers after being sold by their rajah
\n(kings). For decades the Balinese community was the second
\nlargest ethnic group in the city.<\/p>\n
The Angke Mosque has been renovated several times, but its
\noriginal structure has remained unchanged. The mosque's front
\nsteps, double winged door, carved fanlight and door frame, and
\nthe stone vase on top of the roof are typical Dutch elements.<\/p>\n
The architect created a Balinese-styled roof, with Javanese
\npillars to hold it up.<\/p>\n
Outside the mosque is the grave of Prince Syarif Hamid from
\nthe Sultanate of Pontianak (now Kalimantan) who died early 18th
\ncentury.<\/p>\n
The Annawir Mosque is also important. Located on Jl. Pekojan,
\nWest Jakarta, the mosque has long been known among Jakartans of
\nArab origin. The mosque was commissioned by a Sayid (a descendant
\nof Prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah). The mosque was
\nbuilt by Abdullah bin Hussein Alaydrus in l760. The name Annawir
\nmeans \"light\".<\/p>\n
Kebon Jeruk Mosque, on Jl. Hayam Wuruk in the downtown area,
\nwas a sacred place for the Cina Peranakan (Moslem Chinese) living
\nin old Jakarta. The mosque's architecture is a rich mixture of
\nIndonesian, Arabic and Chinese elements.<\/p>\n
The mosque was built in l786 by a prominent Chinese man called
\nCaptain Tamien Dosol Seeng, or Choa, who chaired the Chinese
\nMoslem Community between l780 and 1797.<\/p>\n
A beautiful grave lies in the mosque's yard. The grave houses
\nMrs. Chai, the wife of Captain Choa. The crypt is wonderfully
\ndecorated with Chinese dragons, as well as Arab and Chinese
\nornaments.<\/p>\n
The mosque's interior is decorated with Moorish and Dutch
\ntiles emblazoned with animal and floral motifs. Some of the tiles
\neven portray biblical scenes.<\/p>\n
Tambora Mosque, on Jl. Blandongan in West Jakarta, was built
\nby Haj Mustoyib Ki Daeng and his friends in 1767. Ki Daeng
\noriginally came from Makassar (now Ujungpandang). He previously
\nlived on Bima Island in East Nusa Tenggara, near Mount Tambora.
\nHe was brought to Batavia as a prisoner of the Dutch. He was
\nreleased from the prison after five years but remained in the
\ncity to build the mosque called Tambora. A few years later he
\ndied and was buried next to the mosque. The Tambora Mosque was
\ncompletely renovated in the l980s.<\/p>\n
The city's mosques stand as monuments to remind people that
\nJakarta was once a melting pot and meeting place of international
\ncultures.<\/p>",
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