“Singgah & Sholatlah” a tagline invites us into Masjid Al Mukhlisin. This translates to “Stop and Pray”. It is a unique welcome in Bahasa Indonesia. Have you ever noticed such a welcoming phrase on a mosque?
Masjid Al Mukhlisin stands proudly in South Jakarta. It is located in the Deplu Housing Complex, Gandaria Selatan. More precisely, it’s on Jl. Cendrawasih No. 2. From Jl.R.S. Fatmawati, the mosque is clearly visible. It is only about 50 meters away.
Masjid Al Mukhlisin was completed and inaugurated on October 16 2014. Ir.H. Susilo Siswoutomo, Vice Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, officiated the opening. He was also the Head of the Mosque’s Management. Al Mukhlisin means “people who are sincere”.
The architecture of Masjid Al Mukhlisin reflects a Middle Eastern style. Specifically, it resembles Turkish Ottoman design. This is evident in its prominent dome and minarets.
Four minarets rise from each corner of the building. They are painted in blue and white. Each minaret is approximately 17 meters high. Three domes adorn the mosque one main dome and two smaller ones. All the domes are painted blue. The side walls facing the street feature patterned vents. These vents create window-like designs, complete with canopies.
Masjid Al Mukhlisin is a four-story building. The basement serves as a parking area, with toilets and ablution facilities. The first floor provides additional prayer space. The second floor, or mezzanine, is the main prayer hall. The third floor, another mezzanine, offers more prayer space.
The main prayer hall is accessed through beautifully carved doors. These doors feature Jepara-style carvings with Islamic floral and star motifs. Inside, the hall is supported by 17 pillars. These pillars are painted with cream-colored marble patterns. The first and second floors each cover about 200 square meters. The third floor spans approximately 100 square meters. Overall, the mosque can accommodate around 1000 worshippers.
The mihrab is simple a rectangular niche. It is 2 meters wide, 3 meters high, and 2 meters deep. It is unadorned. Inside, there is a prayer mat for the imam and a mimbar. The mimbar is made of wood with minimal carvings. The backdrop of the mihrab features fixed oval and round glass windows. These windows are decorated with stained glass in shades of green, blue, yellow, and red. The round window features stained glass forming the word “Allah”.
The altar walls are plain with fixed windows. Three clocks hang on the altar. A digital mosque clock, a regular digital clock, and an analog clock. None of the clocks show the correct time. They are one minute, four minutes, and seven minutes slow.
The interior’s beauty is enhanced by the three domes. Calligraphy is painted beneath each dome. White letters stand out against a green background. The main dome, with a diameter of 6 meters, features a painting of clouds in a blue sky. The word “Allah” is inscribed at the center. A crystal chandelier hangs from here, featuring 12 candle-style lights. The smaller domes, 3 meters in diameter, are left bare. Their colorful frames and glass are visible.
The floors are covered with 50×50 cm white ceramic tiles. Carpets in various colors cover the tiles. The main prayer hall has a plain red carpet with lines indicating prayer rows. Additional prayer spaces feature green and blue carpets with geometric patterns.
To combat Jakarta’s heat, Masjid Al Mukhlisin is equipped with air conditioning. Two split AC units, two cabinet AC units, four high-powered fans, thirteen regular wall fans, and an exhaust fan keep the air cool.
Masjid Al Mukhlisin is more than just a building. It is a welcoming place of worship. Its architecture and interior design invite reflection. The sincere community within adds to its charm.