Beneath Jakarta’s sprawling skyline stands Masjid Al Ma’mur, a testament to faith. It is also a symbol of resilience. This mosque is not just a place of worship. It is a historical landmark.
Masjid Al Ma’mur’s story began in 1850. Oral tradition says Raden Saleh allowed Muslims to build a prayer house on his estate. Raden Saleh was a famous Romantic painter. His estate was in what is now Cikini.
Later, in 1897, Saleh’s wife sold the estate to the Alatas family. The Alatas family were prominent Peranakan Arab landlords. About 30 years later, Sayyid Ismail bin Sayyid Abdoellah bin Alwi Alatas sold part of the estate. He sold it to Koningin Emma Stichting. This foundation later built Cikini Hospital.
The old mosque was excluded from the transaction. This was due to an ownership dispute. Around this time, the simple structure was moved. It was moved to the banks of the Ciliwung River. This enabled worshippers to perform wudu in the river. Wudu is the Islamic ritual washing.
After Sayyid Ismail won in court, the land was sold in 1923. The hospital board requested the mosque board to move it further away in 1924. The mosque authorities refused. They considered the land a legacy from Raden Saleh. It was a waqf, a religious endowment.
To ensure the mosque’s survival, a committee was formed. The aim was to transform the prayer house into a permanent structure. Agus Salim, Mas Mansur and Cokroaminoto were among the committee members. From 1932 to 1934, the mosque was renovated. Sarekat Islam financed the expansion. These efforts helped stave off relocation attempts.
The building remained in legal limbo for decades. It was only in 1991 that Cikini Hospital bequeathed the land to the mosque. The mosque had occupied the land since 1850.
Masjid Jami’ Al-Makmur Cikini stands on Jalan Raden Saleh Raya. It is one of the oldest mosques in the locality. It was formerly known as Tjikini Mosque.
Another Masjid Al-Makmur is in Tanah Abang. It is closely linked to Tanah Abang’s history. The mosque was built in 1704. KH Muhammad Asyuro, a nobleman from the Islamic Kingdom of Mataram, led the build.
The Tanah Abang Masjid Al-Makmur is surrounded by the bustling Tanah Abang trading center. This area is one of the largest retail and wholesale centers in Southeast Asia.
In 1915, Habib Abu bakar bin Muhammad bin Abdurrahman Al-Habsyi, a Tanah Abang community leader, initiated a change. The old prayer room became a large mosque measuring 44m x 28m. A Dutch architect designed it. The mosque was built on waqf land from Habib Abu Bakar. It was then named Al-Makmur.
The architectural style resembles mosques in the Middle East. It has a modern touch. The main dome is green. It is visible from all directions. The door and window frames are in the 17th-century architectural style. This adds to the historical feel.
Two short towers flank three entrances. The building has a dome-shaped roof. The dome has a unique shape. The bottom is square and narrows at the top. The peaks of the two towers are onion-shaped.
Masjid Al-Makmur received the Certificate of Restoration Awareness in 1996. The mosque can accommodate up to 5,200 people. There are three sacred tombs in the complex. Many people still visit these tombs.
Many dignitaries have visited and prayed at this mosque. These include President Soekarno, M Natsir, and President Megawati.
During Ramadan, the mosque has religious activities. These include Tarawih prayers and lectures. Each day, the mosque holds a fast-breaking event. Traders donate food and drink for the community.
The historic Masjid Al-Makmur stands as a testament to time. It is a place of worship and a cultural landmark.