Masjid Jami Al-Murtadho

Could a mosque inspire a university? Here at Masjid Jami Al-Murtadho, that very question hangs in the air. Our story, however, begins a few kilometers north, at the Al-Azhar Great Mosque in Kebayoran Baru. Originally known as Masjid Agung (Great Mosque), it held the title of Jakarta’s largest mosque until the Istiqlal Mosque surpassed it in 1978. Al-Azhar Great Mosque, completed in 1958, became renowned not just for its prayers but also for its educational initiatives. This focus on learning and growth would later plant the seed for an extraordinary institution. The mosque’s journey started in 1952 with fourteen members of the Masyumi Party. They envisioned a place of worship and education, leading to the founding of the Islamic Dormitory School Foundation (YPI). With a plot of land donated by the Jakarta mayor and initial funds from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, construction began in 1953. The mosque’s design reflects a blend of Middle Eastern influence, evident in the white onion dome and single minaret. But it also served a distinctly modern purpose. It housed an Islamic library, lecture halls, a health clinic, and classrooms for both religious and secular subjects. This is a key point, as it directly links to our current location, Masjid Jami Al-Murtadho. The educational efforts of the Al-Azhar Great Mosque, including the establishment of a kindergarten in 1967, culminated in the founding of Al-Azhar University Indonesia in 2000. This demonstrates a clear connection between the mosque’s commitment to education and the eventual rise of a full-fledged university. While Masjid Jami Al-Murtadho may not share the exact same history, the Al-Azhar Great Mosque serves as a compelling example of how a mosque can foster a spirit of learning that extends far beyond its walls. It reminds us that places of worship can also be springboards for intellectual and social progress, inspiring growth and development in the community.