Is it true that this house of worship has witnessed Jakarta’s transformation? We are standing before Masjid Al Mubarokah. This mosque is more than just a place of worship. It is a testament to Jakarta’s rich history.
Masjid Al Mubarokah stands in Kuningan Barat Jakarta Selatan. It is near the Museum TNI Satria Mandala. Some say this mosque is almost five centuries old.
Legend says Pangeran Kuningan built Masjid Al Mubarokah. It is believed to have been erected when he came to Jakarta. His mission was to drive out the Portuguese colonizers. Historical records suggest the mosque’s initial construction dates back to 1527. Pangeran Adipati Awangga, also known as Syekh Arkanuddin, led the build.
Pangeran Kuningan fought alongside Demak-Cirebon forces. Falatehan led them to seize Sunda Kelapa from the Padjajaran Kingdom. They renamed it Jayakarta in 1527.
Initially Masjid Al Mubarokah was a simple prayer house. It was made of wood and bamboo. Pangeran Kuningan led his people in the southern regions. He traveled via the Krukut River to new lands. These areas were dense forests.
Pangeran Kuningan died around 1579. He was buried north of Masjid Al Mubarokah. This area was once known as eigendom verponding 6242 and 8012. It was near the Kroekoet River. This river was a key waterway to Sunda Kelapa port. The descendants of Pangeran Kuningan named their settlement Kampoeng Koeningan Jakarta in his memory.
Masjid Al Mubarokah has undergone changes. It collapsed in the 1920s. It was rebuilt. Sixty-five percent of the original design was kept.
The local government protects Masjid Al Mubarokah. It was declared a monument in 1931. It was designated an old mosque in 1972.
Masjid Al Mubarokah is a center for Islamic learning. People who work nearby pray here. They come for Friday prayers and other services.
This mosque has seen Jakarta change. It has gone from a wild area to a concrete jungle. Masjid Al Mubarokah means a blessed place. In Kalijodo, it is a spiritual center. It is located by the West Flood Canal in North Jakarta’s Penjaringan District.
The area where Masjid Al Mubarokah stands was once a red-light district. Now it is a place of worship. It promotes harmony, mutual respect, and appreciation. The mosque has a large and comfortable prayer hall.
The groundbreaking ceremony for Masjid Al Mubarokah took place in February 2017. Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or Ahok, the Governor of Jakarta, laid the first stone.
Masjid Al Mubarokah features a modern tropical pendopo architectural concept. It is surrounded by green gardens with Islamic nuances. These blend with Betawi culture. The mosque has two floors. The lower floor hosts community events. The walls feature transparent brickwork. This design reflects the breezing wall concept of Betawi houses. The roof is an asymmetrical limasan style. It slopes towards the Qibla. This mimics the posture of someone in prayer.
Remember this. Masjid Al Mubarokah shows us Jakarta’s past and present.