Perhaps surprisingly, this unassuming building before us, Masjid Al Anwar, holds secrets of Jakarta’s past. Masjid Al Anwar is one of Jakarta’s oldest mosques. It stands as a testament to the city’s multiethnic origins.
Now known as Masjid Al-Anwar, this place was originally called Masjid Angke. The name Angke comes from a nearby canal. The canal’s name meant “blood” and “carcass” in the Hokkien dialect. This was because it was near a slaughterhouse.
Masjid Al Anwar’s story starts in 1761. Some believe Balinese people built it. At that time many Balinese lived in Batavia. Historians like Denys Lombard thought the mosque’s architecture had Balinese influences. In 1804, a Balinese leader named Mohammad Paridan Tousalette Babandan donated rental income to the mosque.
Others say a Chinese woman named Tan Nio built Masjid Al Anwar. Her architect was Syaikh Liong Tan. You can find old graves behind the mosque. One tombstone has Chinese writing. It says “Nisan ny. Chen yang lahir sebagai Wang”. This means Mrs. Chen was born as Wang.
Masjid Al Anwar shows a mix of cultures. It combines Balinese, Dutch, Javanese, and Chinese styles. The base is a square like Javanese buildings. The layered roof also follows Javanese design. The roof’s curved edges look like Balinese houses. The doors and windows show Dutch influence. Some think the roof looks more Chinese. They see Dutch influence in the pillars and windows of Masjid Al Anwar.
During Indonesia’s fight for independence, young people met secretly here. They planned ways to resist the Dutch. Ulama used their sermons to encourage people to fight back. Masjid Al Anwar became a training ground for freedom fighters. Because these activities were secret, the Dutch never discovered them. Masjid Al Anwar was saved from Dutch attacks.
Many people are buried around Masjid Al Anwar. You’ll find tombs of people from Arab, Balinese, Banten, Pontianak and Tartar descent. Some graves are behind the mosque and some are across the street. Syaikh Liong Tan, the mosque’s architect, is buried here. Also buried here are Syarifah Maryam and Syekh Jaffar. Across the street lies Prince Syarif Hamid Alkadrie. He was a Sultan from Pontianak. The Dutch captured and exiled him to Batavia. He died here in 1858 and was buried in front of Masjid Al Anwar.
Masjid Al Anwar stands as a cultural heritage site. It reminds us of Jakarta’s diverse past. Its walls have witnessed centuries of change. It is a symbol of faith and resistance. As you leave Masjid Al Anwar, remember its story. Think about the people who built it and fought for it. Their legacy lives on in this special place.