“Ever wonder about hidden gems?” a passerby asks. Today we explore Masjid Anni’mah. It is a historic mosque. Some even say it is located in the Thousand Islands.
Masjid Anni’mah stands as a testament to Jakarta’s layered history. The Angke Mosque shares similarities. The Angke Mosque is officially known as Masjid Jami Angke or Masjid Al-Anwar. It is one of the oldest mosques in Jakarta.
The Angke Mosque’s story shows Jakarta’s multiethnic roots. The kampung around it was once Kampung Goesti. Balinese people led by Kapitan Goesti Ktut Badulu settled here. By the mid-18th century they converted to Islam.
The Angke Mosque was founded in 1761. Nyonya Tan and Syaikh Liong Tan were its benefactors. Both were Muslim converts from Batavia’s Chinese community.
The Angke Mosque sits near the Angke canal. Angke means “blood” because a slaughterhouse once polluted the stream. In 1856 Prince Syarif Hamid was captured by the Dutch. He was buried in front of the mosque in 1858. People from Pontianak still visit his grave. Many Chinese in this area are devout Muslims. Tombstones bear Chinese and Arabic inscriptions.
The Angke Mosque has been restored several times. These restorations took place in 1970, 1985–1987, and 2016. It is now a protected cultural heritage site.
The Angke Mosque is unique. It is the only mosque in Jakarta that retains its original form. Its two-tiered roof reflects Javanese style. The architecture blends Balinese, Chinese and Dutch elements.
Balinese influence is clear in the window shutters. The roof tips resemble a Balinese punggel. Chinese norms appear in the roof’s bracketing. Lotus decorations symbolize Buddhist enlightenment. Dutch colonial influences mark the doors and windows.
The Angke Mosque is small measuring 15 x 15 meters. It sits on a 400 sqm plot. The complex includes a cemetery.
Masjid Anni’mah might share a connection to this history. It is a reminder of faith and cultural fusion. It shows how diverse influences shaped Jakarta. Next time you are in Jakarta, remember Masjid Anni’mah.