Lost in the vibrant tapestry of Jakarta’s historic mosques, the Masjid Jami Al Ma’wa stands as a testament to time and faith. It is a place where the whispers of the past meet the hopes of the future. Let’s delve into the story of this remarkable mosque.
Masjid Jami Al Ma’wa was formerly known as Masjid Jami Kampung Sawah. This mosque is one of Jakarta’s oldest. You can find it in Jembatan Lima, Tambora, West Jakarta. Abdul Malik, son of Pangeran Cakrajaya, built it in 1717. Previously, Abdul Malik had joined Mataram troops attacking the Dutch in Batavia.
The history of Masjid Jami Al Ma’wa is entwined with KH. Mohammad Mansyur. He was a national hero. His name now graces this historic mosque and a nearby street. In 1980, the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Governor of Jakarta designated it a cultural heritage site.
In the 19th century, this area was called Sawah Masjid on maps. Abdul Malik from the Mataram Kingdom initiated the mosque’s construction. Two centuries later, Abdul Malik’s descendants continued his work. These descendants include Imam Muhammad Habib and scholars like Imam Muhammad Arsyad Banjarmasin. Imam Muhammad Arsyad Banjarmasin adjusted the mihrab’s position with local scholars on August 11, 1767.
Under KH. Muhammad Mansyur’s leadership, the mosque expanded in 1937. Walls were built around the mosque to protect it and the tombs of scholars. After Indonesia’s independence, KH. Muhammad Mansur used the mosque to rally fighters. They resisted the Dutch around Tambora. A battle occurred in front of the mosque. Indonesian fighters clashed with NICA troops.
KH. Mohammad Mansur raised the Merah Putih flag atop the mosque’s dome. This bold act led to his arrest. He passed away on May 12, 1967. The Masjid Jami Al-Mansyur Management Committee then took over. The government honored KH. Muhammad Mansur by naming the mosque and a street after him.
The Masjid Jami Al-Mansyur’s architecture blends Javanese, Chinese, Betawi, and Arab styles. It features a two-tiered joglo roof supported by four large pillars. These pillars have a diameter of 1.5 meters. The windows are simple square openings with wooden bars. The doors are double-leaf with bulian carvings. Today, the walls, windows, and doors have been extended by 10 meters.
The main room is the oldest part of Masjid Jami Al Ma’wa. It measures 12 x 14.40 meters. Four sturdy pillars stand prominently in the center. These pillars have octagonal bases. The mosque’s roof has three tiers. The minaret is cylindrical and twelve meters high. It has terraces with iron fences and a dome-shaped roof.
The mosque underwent renovations in the 1960s. It now faces the road to the south. The original building was 12 x 14.40 meters. Its architecture resembles other mosques of that era. Even the prayer mats are angled to align with the qibla.
The Masjid Jami Al Ma’wa is more than bricks and mortar. It is a living testament to Jakarta’s history. It embodies the spirit of resistance. It represents cultural fusion. It stands as a beacon of faith. As you leave, remember the stories within these walls. They echo through time. They inspire future generations.