“Did you know that this Masjid Kebon Jeruk stands as a testament to the rich history of Chinese Muslims in Indonesia?” This mosque is more than just a place of worship. It is a silent witness to a unique cultural heritage.
Masjid Kebon Jeruk is located in Tamansari, Jakarta Pusat. The Jakarta government recognizes it as a cultural heritage site. You will find it nestled in the Gajah Mada area. This mosque has humble beginnings. It was once a private place of worship. It belonged to a Chinese Muslim captain named Tamien Dossol.
Let’s step back in time to the 18th century. A woman named Hj. Fatimah Hwu donated the land for Masjid Jami Kebon Jeruk. She was the wife of a Chinese Muslim leader named Chan Tsin Wa. They fled Sin Kiang China because of oppression.
Chan Tsin Wa was also known as Kaptein Tamein Dosol Seeng. He led the Chinese Muslim community in Batavia between 1780 and 1797. When they arrived in Batavia in 1718, they found a neglected surau. It needed repair. Together with other Chinese Muslims, they rebuilt it. They named it Masjid Kebon Jeruk. This name came from the many jeruk trees in the area. Jeruk means citrus trees in Indonesian language.
The exact date of the Masjid Kebon Jeruk’s construction is uncertain. Some say it was 1786. Others claim 1792. Regardless, it was built in the 18th century. Around 1817, the mosque was gifted to the Chinese Muslim community in Glodok.
The first renovation after Indonesia’s independence happened in 1950. Masjid Kebon Jeruk was expanded on all sides. In 1957, another renovation aimed to accommodate more worshippers. Then in 1974, Governor Ali Sadikin provided assistance. It was for repairing the mosque. He declared it a national historical site.
What makes Masjid Jami Kebon Jeruk special? It has ten pillars supporting the structure. They are spread across three sides of the mosque. The main room is 10 x 10 meters. It features ceramic floors.
Traces of the past remain here. A tombstone bears the inscription Xian bi Cai men zhi mu. It marks the grave of a woman from the Cai family. Locals knew her as Fatimah or Aisyah. She was a Muslim before arriving in Indonesia.
Masjid Kebon Jeruk is more than a historical building. It serves as a center for tabligh activities in Indonesia. People come from different regions and countries. They visit Masjid Kebon Jeruk. They spread Islam throughout the archipelago and beyond.
During Ramadan, many Muslims perform I’tikaf at Masjid Kebon Jeruk. The mosque becomes a hub of daily life for these worshippers. The community comes together. They break their fast together sharing food from a single tampah or tray.
Masjid Kebon Jeruk stands as a testament to history. It is a place of cultural significance. It embodies the spirit of Chinese Muslims in Indonesia.