Friedrich Silaban: The Pastor's Son Who Designed the Istiqlal Mosque
The Istiqlal Mosque is recorded as the sixth-largest mosque in the world and one of the most monumental architectural masterpieces in Indonesia. Its construction took approximately 17 years and was designed to accommodate up to 200,000 worshippers.
The name “Istiqlal” is derived from Arabic, meaning independence. This naming became a symbol of gratitude for the independence of the Republic of Indonesia. This significance is also reflected in the main dome, which has a diameter of 45 metres, symbolising 1945 as the milestone year of the nation’s independence.
With a modern Islamic architectural style, the mosque building stands majestically in the heart of the capital, amidst the dense high-rises and bustling city activities.
The idea for building the mosque originated in 1950 when the Minister of Religion at the time, KH Wahid Hasyim, held meetings with several Islamic leaders to discuss its establishment.
Remarkably, although Silaban was Christian, he studied various references on mosque domes and minarets. He also studied the worship practices of Muslims and examined literature on major mosques worldwide for approximately three months to produce the correct design.
The selection of the mosque’s location was initially met with various proposals. Vice President Mohammad Hatta once proposed the Hotel Indonesia area. Some members of the public suggested the area around the National Monument or West Medan Merdeka Field. However, President Soekarno chose the location where Istiqlal now stands.
This decision was not without challenges. On the 9.5-hectare site previously stood the Wilhelmina Garden, which had been used as a gunpowder warehouse and military vehicle storage.
In a meeting with Islamic scholars at the State Palace, Soekarno expressed his hope that Istiqlal would become the largest and most beautiful mosque in the world. He wanted a building that was not only grand and sturdy, but also capable of lasting more than 1,000 years as a symbol of the spread of Islam.
This vision of sustainability is reflected in the choice of building materials, such as stainless steel, marble, and ceramic, designed to ensure the mosque’s strength and durability in the long term.