Raden Saleh’s spirit lingers here. It watches over the Masjid Al Makmur. This mosque stands on what was once his estate.
Welcome to the Masjid Al Makmur in Cikini, Central Jakarta. It is one of the oldest mosques in this area. Formerly, people knew it as Masjid Tjikini. Its story is intertwined with art, philanthropy, and community resilience.
Let’s step back to the mid-19th century. Raden Saleh, a renowned Romantic painter, owned this land. Oral tradition says that around 1850, he allowed local Muslims to build a prayer house on his estate. This act of generosity laid the foundation for the Masjid Al Makmur.
After Saleh’s death, his wife sold the estate in 1897 to the Alatas family. They were prominent Peranakan Arab landlords. About 30 years later, Sayyid Ismail bin Sayyid Abdoellah bin Alwi Alatas sold part of the estate. The buyer was Koningin Emma Stichting. This foundation later built Cikini Hospital.
However, the old prayer house was excluded from this sale. An ownership dispute was ongoing between Sayyid Ismail and the mosque community. Around this time, worshippers moved the simple structure to the banks of the Ciliwung River. This allowed them to perform wudu, or ritual ablution, in the river.
Sayyid Ismail won his court case in 1923. He then sold the land to Koningin Emma Stichting. A year later, the hospital board asked the mosque board to move the house of worship further away. But the mosque authorities refused. They considered the land a waqf. This means it was a legacy left to the community by Raden Saleh.
To protect the mosque, a committee formed to transform the old prayer house. They wanted to make it a permanent, concrete structure. Key figures like Agus Salim, Mas Mansur, and Cokroaminoto were among the committee members. Between 1932 and 1934, the mosque underwent renovation and expansion. Sarekat Islam financed the work.
These efforts helped prevent the mosque from being moved. Yet, it remained in legal limbo for many years. Finally, in 1991, Cikini Hospital bequeathed the land to the mosque. This land had been occupied since 1850.
The story of Masjid Al Makmur isn’t just about bricks and mortar. It reflects the community’s determination to preserve its heritage. It also highlights the complex interplay of land ownership. The disputes went on for decades.
Masjid Al Makmur stands as a testament to resilience. It embodies the spirit of those who fought to protect it. Consider its journey. It began as a simple prayer house. It faced threats of demolition and relocation. But today, it stands strong. It is a lasting symbol of faith.
As you leave, remember the layers of history within these walls. Think of Raden Saleh’s initial act of kindness. Remember the community’s unwavering resolve. The Masjid Al Makmur is more than just a mosque. It’s a living legacy of Jakarta’s past.