Engrossing stories swirl around Masjid Jami Angke. It is officially known as Masjid Al-Anwar. It stands as one of Jakarta’s oldest mosques. Its history reflects the multiethnic origin of colonial Jakarta.
Denys Lombard called it one of the most elegant of the old town. You can see it is well-maintained and retaining its original form.
The kampung settlement around Masjid Jami Angke was once known as Kampung Goesti. Balinese people settled here under Kapitan Goesti Ktut Badulu. By the mid-eighteenth century they converted from Hinduism to Islam.
Masjid Jami Angke was founded on April 2 1761. Nyonya Tan and Syaikh Liong Tan were the main benefactors. Both were Muslim converts from Batavia’s local Chinese community.
The mosque is close to a canal known as Angke. Ang means blood. Ke means carcass in Hokkian. The stream was near a slaughterhouse. It was contaminated with blood. The area is still known as Pejagalan meaning slaughterhouse.
In 1856 Prince Syarif Hamid a Sultan from Pontianak was captured by the Dutch. He was held at Manggadua. He died and was buried in front of the mosque on July 17 1858. People from Pontianak often visit his grave. Many decide to stay at Angke. Many Chinese in this area are devout Muslims. Many tombstones near the mosque bear Chinese and Arabic inscriptions. The oldest tombstones show Islamic Banten and Aceh origins.
Masjid Jami Angke has been restored several times. This was in 1970 1985 to 1987 and 2016. The building is a cultural heritage site protected under law.
It is the only mosque in Jakarta that has remained unaltered since built. Its roof is on two levels. It is in the typical Javanese style for roofs of places of worship. The architecture of the mosque follows the form of a traditional mosque of Java. This is apparent in its tiered roof. Various different elements are visible. They are Balinese Chinese and Dutch.
Balinese elements are pronounced in the mosque’s window shutters. The tips of its roof take the form of a Balinese punggel. It curves up like in traditional Balinese architecture. The bracketing construction of the roof follows Chinese norms. Some decorative elements on the roof take the form of a Chinese lotus. It is a symbol of Buddhist enlightenment. Dutch colonial influences are apparent in the main door and window ornamentation.
The mosque is of small size 15 x 15 m within a land of 400 sqm. The mosque complex contains a cemetery.
Masjid Jami Angke showcases a fascinating array of design elements. They reflect Indonesia’s multicultural roots. Its prayer halls are simple yet elegant. The intricate wood carvings and design details offer a peek into the blend of cultural influences in the 18th century. Every corner of this mosque seems to tell a story. It invites visitors to appreciate Indonesia’s diverse heritage.
Consider the blend of cultures and histories that converge here at Masjid Jami Angke. It is a testament to Jakarta’s rich past and diverse present.