Understanding the tradition of Khataman Al-Quran at the Sultanate Mosque of Ternate: A timeless sacred ritual on the 10th night of Ramadhan

The Sultanate Mosque of Ternate in North Maluku maintains the tradition of Khataman Al-Quran, with the first ceremony held on the 10th night of Ramadhan. The ritual is conducted by mosque officials comprising the imam, khatib, and modin (mosque custodians) who have completed the recitation of all 30 juz of the Qur’an, beginning at the start of Ramadhan.

The mosque officials perform this sacred tradition to enhance their spiritual devotion and seek forgiveness from Allah, whilst simultaneously preserving local Islamic-inflected traditions and the cultural wisdom inherited from their ancestors. The ceremony includes reverent practices such as the ceremonial procession of the kabasarang (an heirloom object) carried on foot to the mosque, and the kissing of the oldest Qur’an before the ritual begins.

This longstanding tradition exemplifies how Ternate’s Islamic community integrates religious observance with the protection of local heritage, ensuring that ancestral wisdom and sacred practices remain vibrant and meaningful across generations.