Did you know that Masjid Al-Anshor is arguably the oldest mosque in Jakarta? It stands as a testament to the city’s rich Islamic heritage. Founded in 1648, it has witnessed centuries of change in Jakarta.
Masjid Al-Anshor’s story begins with traders from Gujarat and Bengal. They frequented Jakarta for trade. They also established a place for worship and religious learning. The mosque served as a school to study the Koran in Kampung Pekojan.
Adolf Heuken SJ noted the presence of Yemeni and Indian Muslims in Pekojan. These communities played a vital role in spreading Islam throughout Jakarta. Their influence reached areas like Krukut, Sawah Besar and Jati Petamburan. It also extended to Tanah Abang, Kwitang, Jatinegara and Cawang. Masjid Al-Anshor stands on land donated by Indian citizens.
The mosque lacks minarets and domes. It reflects a humble aesthetic. Nestled within a densely populated area, it resembles a house more than a grand mosque. Four straight wooden beams support its structure. These beams act as simple buffers. Determining the original parts of the building is challenging. Renovations in 1973 and 1985 altered its original style.
Anshor comes from Arabic. It means newcomers or helpers. This name suits the mosque. It was founded by Muslim newcomers from India around 1684. The land was a donation from an Indian Muslim.
A pastor reported the mosque’s existence in the mid-17th century. The report mentioned a mosque and religious school in Kampung Pekojan. This report reached the Church Council in 1648. This simple mosque has pillars of straight wooden beams. It was built less than thirty years after the burning of Jayakarta.
After the VOC conquered Jayakarta in 1619, they destroyed the sultanate’s mosque. Pangeran Jayakarta and his followers moved to Jatinegara. They built Masjid Jami’ Assalafiyah there.
As the congregation grew people of Moor founded their second mosque in 1748. It was named Masjid Jami Kampung Baru. It is located in Jalan Bandengan Selatan. The history of Masjid Al-Anshor marks the arrival of Indian Muslims in Pekojan. It also signifies the formation of the old Kampung Arab.
Finding Masjid Al-Anshor can be tricky. It is tucked away in a small alley. The address is Jl. Pengukiran IV. The oldest part of the mosque is small. It measures only about 10 x 10 meters. The mosque stands on a land area of 1,705 square meters.
An old cemetery once surrounded the mosque. Now it is almost merged with the houses nearby. Two tombstones remain. Historian Van Den Berg noted three tombstones existed.
Renovations have obscured the original architecture. The building doesn’t look like a mosque from the outside. Instead of a gate, there are only two doors like those of a regular house.
The front part of the mosque is the oldest section. The prayer room has new ceramic tiles. A slightly lower area contains the remains of the old Masjid Al-Anshor. Little remains except the wooden windows. Four sturdy pillars support the roof.
The government protects Masjid Al-Anshor as a historical site. A sign warns against unauthorized alterations. The warning refers to the Monument Act.
Though renovated, Masjid Al-Anshor remains a symbol of Jakarta’s past. It reminds us of the traders, scholars and communities. They shaped the city’s Islamic identity.