Whispers of faith and history intertwine around Masjid Al Muhabab. This mosque stands as a testament to Jakarta’s rich Islamic heritage.
Masjid Al Muhabab may not be the oldest but it certainly carries its own unique story. Its story is woven into the very fabric of this community.
I want to tell you about Al-Anshor Mosque. Al-Anshor Mosque is arguably the oldest mosque in Jakarta. It was built in 1648 in Pekojan.
Imagine traders from Gujarat and Bengal. They arrived in Jakarta for trade. These traders founded Al-Anshor Mosque. It became a religious school. People studied the Koran there in Kampung Pekojan.
Yemeni and Indian Muslims settled in Pekojan. They spread Islam to areas like Krukut. They influenced Sawah Besar and Jati Petamburan. Their faith reached Tanah Abang Kwitang Jatinegara and Cawang.
Al-Anshor Mosque stands on wakaf land. The land belongs to Indian citizens. The government of DKI Jakarta protects it as a cultural heritage.
This mosque has no minarets or domes. It is not luxurious. Al-Anshor Mosque looks more like a house than a mosque.
Four straight wooden beams act as pillars. They serve as an unadorned buffer. The mosque was updated in 1973 and 1985. The old style was somewhat lost. It is hard to find the original parts.
Now let’s compare this with Istiqlal Mosque. Istiqlal Mosque is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia. It commemorates Indonesian independence. Istiqlal means independence in Arabic. It opened in 1978.
Wahid Hasyim Indonesia’s first minister for religious affairs suggested building it. Anwar Cokroaminoto chaired the Istiqlal Mosque Foundation. President Sukarno supervised the construction.
Friedrich Silaban a Christian designed Istiqlal Mosque. Sukarno wanted it near Merdeka Square. This followed Javanese tradition. The king’s palace and grand mosque should be near the main square. Sukarno insisted it be near Jakarta Cathedral and Immanuel Church. This symbolized religious harmony.
The foundation stone was laid in 1961. Construction took 17 years. President Suharto inaugurated it in 1978. It can hold over 120000 people.
Istiqlal Mosque has seven entrances. The gates are named after Al-Asmaul-Husna. These are the names of God in Islam. The number seven represents the Seven Heavens.
The rectangular prayer hall has a 45-meter dome. The number 45 symbolizes 1945. That was the year of Indonesian Independence. Twelve columns support the dome. They represent Muhammad’s birthday.
The main floor and four balconies make five floors. The number five represents the Five Pillars of Islam. It also represents Pancasila.
The minaret is 66.66 meters tall. This symbolizes the verses in the Quran. A 30-meter pinnacle tops the minaret. This symbolizes the 30 juz of the Quran.
Istiqlal Mosque has faced challenges too. A bomb exploded there in 1978. Another bomb attack took place in 1999.
The mosque underwent major renovations from 2019 to 2020. They polished the marble and upgraded systems. A tunnel connects Istiqlal Mosque and St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral. It is called the Tunnel of Friendship.
Pope Francis visited in 2024. He said Istiqlal Mosque is proof of religious moderation. He signed an Istiqlal Declaration.
Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar has made Istiqlal environmentally friendly. They installed solar panels and a water recycling system. The World Bank recognized it as a green place of worship.
Many leaders have visited Istiqlal Mosque. These include Barack Obama and King Salman.
Masjid Al Muhabab while different in scale shares a similar spirit. It is a place of prayer community and reflection. It stands as a testament to faith in Jakarta.