Is it possible for a mosque to represent a blend of cultures? The Masjid Jami Al Muktamar stands before us. It is a testament to Jakarta’s rich Islamic heritage. We are about to explore its story.
Jakarta is more than Indonesia’s capital. It holds deep-rooted historical sites. These sites reveal Islam’s journey across the archipelago. We embark on an immersive journey. We will uncover historic mosques. These mosques reflect architectural styles and cultural heritage. Untold stories await us.
Let’s explore one of Jakarta’s oldest mosques the Masjid Jami Al Mansur. It sits in Jembatan Lima, Tambora. It is a listed cultural heritage site. The mosque is named after Kh Mohammad Mansur. He was a Betawi figure who fought against Dutch colonial rules.
Raden Abdul Malik founded this mosque in 1717. He was also called Prince Cakrajaya Adiningrat. It served as a place for worship. It also served as a center for community education. This education was against invaders. Formerly named Jami Kampung Sawah it played a key role. It played a role in Indonesia’s independence struggle. KH Mohammad Mansyur led this struggle.
During 1947-1948 gun fighting broke out. It was between nationalist forces and NICA soldiers. Mansur tried to raise a Red and White flag. He tried to raise it on the mosque’s minarets. After Moh Mansyur died in 1967 the mosque was renamed. It became Masjid Jami al-Mansyur.
The main hall is the oldest part. It measures 12 by 14.40 meters. Four solid pillars stand in the middle. These pillars look very solid. The bottom of the columns is octagonal. The main stem is round. It features decorative seams. Wooden beams support two stairs. These stairs lead to the attic. The roof is in the form of limasan.
Consider the Angke Mosque also known as Masjid Jami Angke or Masjid Al-Anwar. It is located in Tambora Jakarta. It is another of Jakarta’s oldest mosques. Historian Denys Lombard called it one of the most elegant in the old town. The mosque’s history shows the multiethnic origin of Jakarta.
The kampung around the mosque was Kampung Goesti. Balinese people settled here. They were led by Kapitan Goesti Ktut Badulu. By the mid-18th century this community converted to Islam. The mosque was founded in 1761. Nyonya Tan and Syaikh Liong Tan were main benefactors. Both were Muslim converts from Batavia’s Chinese community.
The Angke Mosque is near a canal called Angke. Ang means “blood” in Hokkian. Ke means “carcass”. The stream was near a slaughterhouse. It was contaminated with blood. Prince Syarif Hamid a Sultan from Pontianak was buried here. He was captured by the Dutch in 1856. He died in 1858.
The Angke mosque has been restored several times. It is a cultural heritage site protected by law. It is the only mosque in Jakarta that has remained unaltered since it was built. Its roof is on two levels. This is typical Javanese style. Balinese Chinese and Dutch elements are visible.
Balinese elements appear in the window shutters. The roof’s tips take the form of a Balinese punggel. The roof’s construction follows Chinese norms. Some decorations take the form of a Chinese lotus. Dutch colonial influences appear in the main door. The mosque is small 15 x 15 meters. The complex includes a cemetery.
The Masjid Jami Kampung Baru Inpak also stands as a testament to Jakarta’s history. It is one of the oldest mosques in Jakarta. It sits at Jalan Bandengan Selatan Pekojan Tambora. Muslim merchants from India built it. The provincial government designated it as cultural heritage.
Construction began in 1743. It finished in 1748. Syeikh Abubakar led the construction. He was a Muslim merchant from India. In 1829 a Dutch article called it the Moorsche Tempel. This means Temple of the Moors.
Today the building’s original shape is mostly gone. Only the central square remains. Some pillars on the windows also remain. In the late 1980s old buildings in Pekojan were dismantled. This was for a flyover. The Kampung Baru Mosque suffered damage. The mosque’s basic plan is a square. The roof overlaps. The upper roof is a pyramid shape. This resembles traditional Javanese buildings.
The mosque covers about 1050 square meters. The floor is covered with white tiles. Green mats cover the tiles. An antique lamp hangs in the sky. It has been there since the mosque was built. Once this mosque had the most beautiful pulpit. It was made of carved wood. The pulpit has been replaced. The original is now in the Jakarta History Museum.
Reflect on the blend of cultures and histories. The Masjid Jami Al Muktamar stands as a symbol. It is a symbol of Jakarta’s diverse heritage. Its story reminds us of the people who shaped this city. They shaped it through faith trade and cultural exchange.