West Java Governor Prioritises Small Mosques in Villages, Criticises 'Photo-Tourism' at Grand Mosques

West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi is prioritising the construction of small mosques, known locally as tajug, in residential areas to reinforce the function of houses of worship as spaces for prayer and spiritual reflection within the community. According to Dedi, the policy was adopted because some mosques are experiencing a shift in function from places of worship to recreational and public event spaces. Dedi assessed that the aspect of spirituality often loses prominence compared to the architectural appeal of buildings, which encourages people to visit for photographs. “If a mosque is a recreational facility, not a spiritual one, then the mosque will only become a place for selfies, not a place for contemplation,” Dedi said. Therefore, the West Java Provincial Government is directing the construction of more tajug in densely populated neighbourhoods to bring worship facilities closer to the community. “We want to build small mosques in community environments that need them at all times. Grand mosques are already plentiful in West Java,” Dedi stated. He explained that the development of tajug will be carried out in stages and integrated by involving support from various parties. According to KDM, Dedi’s popular nickname, the concept aims to revive the function of the surau as a centre for religious activities without adding new management structures within the community. “We want to build mosques that have congregations, where children recite the Quran, and which become worship spaces for the community,” he said. The former Purwakarta Regent believes that the value of worship is not determined by the grandeur of the building, but by the quality of a person’s spiritual relationship with God. According to Dedi, place is not the main factor in building spiritual closeness because what is most important is inner silence and the ability to present divine values in daily life.