Within the heart of Klungkung lies a testament to Bali’s diverse history. That testament is Masjid Nurul Huda Gelgel. This is one of Bali’s oldest mosques. It stands proudly in Kampung Muslim Gelgel. This community is one of Bali’s largest Muslim communities. Kampung Muslim Gelgel is about a ninety-minute drive east from Kuta.
A towering minaret stands before the Masjid Nurul Huda Gelgel. It is seventeen meters high. This minaret serves as a historical marker. It shows the peaceful spread of Islam in Bali. The mosque dates back to the 13th century.
The story begins when the Hindu king of Gelgel returned from royal meetings. He had met with the rulers of the Majapahit kingdom. Forty soldiers escorted him. These soldiers converted to Islam. They then built the Muslim community of Kampung Muslim Gelgel. It was a peaceful beginning.
The Nurul Huda Mosque still stands in Kampung Muslim. This is in Klungkung. It is the oldest mosque on the Island of Bali. The mosque is about an hour’s drive from Denpasar. Denpasar is Bali’s capital. Masjid Nurul Huda is at the heart of Kampung Islam Gelgel. Today, the community has about 1,000 residents. An ancient minaret stands to the east when you enter. It measures 17 meters.
Masjid Nurul Huda was built in the 14th century. At that time, Bali was under the Kingdom of Gelgel. The Majapahit Raja Dalem Ketut Ngulesir led the kingdom. He ruled from 1293 to 1527 AD. The Raja of Gelgel made a pilgrimage to the Majapahit Kingdom in East Java. He returned with 40 Muslim soldiers. These soldiers protected him.
The Muslim soldiers were charmed by Bali. They asked the Raja for permission to stay. He agreed. They built a mosque in Gelgel. These early Islamic settlers thrived. They created an Islamic enclave in Gelgel. It remains a close-knit religious community. This is on an island that is mostly Hindu.
The establishment of Masjid Nurul Huda marks a long history. Islam spread from Kampung Gelgel. Samsul Hakim is with the Ministry of Religion in Klungkung. He said that records show Muslims arrived with 40 officials from Java.
These officials escorted Dalem Ketut Ngulesir. He was returning to Gelgel. He had attended a meeting of kings in Majapahit. The king asked these 40 people from Madura to come to Gelgel. The journey was safe. They arrived in Gelgel with dozens of escorts.
With the king’s permission, these escorts settled east of the kingdom. This area is now Kampung Gelgel. This group is known as the ancestors of Kampung Gelgel. They also spread Islam in Bali.
Over time, the people of Kampung Gelgel built a mosque. From the beginning, it was named Masjid Nurul Huda. This event marks the history of the Muslim community in Klungkung.
Samsul Hakim also said that descendants of Kampung Gelgel spread out. They moved beyond Gelgel when the kingdom moved. It moved from Swecapura to Semarapura. Some went east of Puri Agung Klungkung. This is now Kampung Lebah. Others spread to Kusamba and Toyapakeh in Nusa Penida.
For about 600 years, Muslims and Hindus have lived together in Gelgel. There are no barriers between them. All live side by side in harmony. Masjid Nurul Huda stands as a symbol of this harmony. It shows Bali’s rich cultural and religious history. It is a place where history and faith intertwine. It also shows the enduring spirit of the Balinese people.