A poignant tribute. That’s what Masjid Arief Rahman Hakim truly is. Standing before this Jakarta mosque you feel its history. It’s more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a testament to a student’s sacrifice. Arif Rahman Hakim a UI Faculty of Medicine student lost his life during a demonstration. His memory lives on in this sacred space.
Masjid Arief Rahman Hakim is located on Jalan Raya Salemba 4. It’s situated within the historic grounds of the University of Indonesia. This mosque holds deep historical significance. It’s a powerful symbol of faith and resilience. It stands as a reminder of the turbulent political climate of the New Order era.
The mosque’s construction started with a simple goal. To provide a place for Islamic spiritual activities. The university community needed a space for prayer especially during major religious holidays. The original mosque was quite modest. It was a single-story building sufficient for its initial needs. However as the university and the surrounding area grew so did the need for a larger mosque.
The current structure underwent extensive renovations. This happened in 2010. The renovations resulted in a much larger more modern design. This expansion was necessary to accommodate the growing number of worshippers. Especially on Fridays the mosque was often overflowing. The original structure wasn’t big enough for everyone.
Interestingly the original building wasn’t demolished. It remains as the ground floor of the new structure. The architects chose to preserve it. This was to honour the mosque’s original design and its historical value. A unique feature is the entrance. It’s not aligned with the qibla. This was an intentional design choice maintained from the original mosque. The new design cost a significant amount 163 billion rupiah. Funding came from various sources including the Saudi Arabian government the DKI Jakarta government the University of Indonesia and private donations.
Masjid Arief Rahman Hakim stands as more than a place of worship. It’s a powerful symbol of memory. It stands as a reminder of a student’s sacrifice. It’s a testament to the resilience of faith amidst political turmoil. It reflects the changing needs of a growing community. It’s a powerful symbol of faith and resilience. It’s a place where history and faith intertwine. Leaving you with a feeling of peace and quiet reflection.