New Islamic Center in Kramat Tunggak

New Islamic Center in Kramat Tunggak

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Thousands of Muslims pray to Allah at a new mosque that
was formerly the site of a notorious red-light district.
A radical transformation took place on a 10.9-hectare plot of
land in Kramat Tunggak, North Jakarta where Jakarta's notorious
red-light district was torn down to make room for the Al-Marqaaz
Al-Islami (literally Islamic Center), whose soft opening ceremony
was launched by Governor Sutiyoso on Friday.

Kramat Tunggak, established to be a regulated area for
prostitutes, had been known for more than 30 years as the biggest
brothel area in the city before the administration decided to
closed it down in December 1999.

The soft opening of the Islamic Center was also marked by a
mass prayer at the partly-finished mosque on the complex led by
noted preacher Ali Yafie.

The three-floored mosque is designed to accommodate some
20,000 Muslims.

The 66-by-66-meter main prayer area can hold some 7,000 people
without a single pillar obstructing views as the roof utilizes a
"spaceframe" structure.

The mosque is the first building constructed in the area which
will also be equipped with a museum, educational buildings, a
library and other facilities.

More than Rp 110 billion (US$12.5 million) will be spent on
the project which started last October. Funding came from the
city budget. Future construction may rely on public participation
as well as foreign donations from several Islam countries.

Also present on Friday were popular preacher Zainuddin M.Z.
and dangdut singer Rhoma Irama. Several foreign dignitaries also
attended, including Palestine Ambassador Ribhi Awad and Ahmed
Salem Alwahishi, the Yemeni ambassador to Indonesia.