Religious complex, brothels form uneasy neighbors<\/p>\n
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
The city administration says it is determined to push ahead with
\nthe construction of the Jakarta Islamic Center in Kramat Tunggak,
\nNorth Jakarta -- an area that was previously home to hundreds of
\nbrothels -- so as to thwart the return of prostitutes to the
\nlocality.<\/p>\n
\"We've already finished the first-stage construction of the
\ngrand mosque. We will continue the project next year by
\nconstructing more buildings,\" said Djaelani, the manager of
\nIslamic Center project, at City Hall on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The center will have a 14,000-square-meter training center
\nequipped with a language laboratory, classrooms, a library and a
\nseminar hall. It will also have 21,000 square meters of
\ncommercial space, comprising a hotel, convention center and
\ngallery.<\/p>\n
Once the center is complete, it will be able to host Islamic
\ncultural and religious activities, as well serving as a center
\nfor Islamic studies.<\/p>\n
Djaelani estimated that the construction of both the training
\ncenter and the commercial premises would cost around Rp 180
\nbillion (US$19.78 million).<\/p>\n
\"Hopefully, the whole complex will be ready for use in 2007,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
He said the project had faced financial constraints. \"We have
\nhad to rely solely on the city budget so far. Therefore, we would
\ninvite the public and other Islamic countries to help finance the
\ncenter's development.\"<\/p>\n
The administration spent Rp 110 billion on land acquisition
\nand the construction of the three-story mosque, which it is
\nestimated can hold 20,000 people. The mosque also has a 66 meter
\nby 66 meter main prayer hall that can accommodate 7,000 people.
\nThere are no pillars, with the \"space frame\" construction
\ntechnique being employed. The mosque has been open to the public
\nsince October 2002.<\/p>\n
Djaelani said the main reason for finishing the project was to
\nchange the image of the area from a red-light district to an area
\nassociated with religious activities.<\/p>\n
\"Governor Sutiyoso has thrown his weight behind the completion
\nof the project,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The Kramat Tunggak red-light district was closed by the
\nadministration in September 1999.<\/p>\n
However, the area near the mosque is now occupied by street
\nvendors, with sex workers still to be seen plying their trade.<\/p>\n
\"I have asked North Jakarta Mayor Effendy Anas to help
\nrelocate the street vendors and the sex workers. I don't want to
\nsee the positive image of the area that we have been trying to
\nbuild up being destroyed,\" Djaelani said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/religious-complex-brothels-form-uneasy-neighbors-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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