Was it serendipity or fate that led to the establishment of Masjid As Salam Kementerian PUPR? This mosque stands as a testament to faith and architectural evolution.
Masjid As Salam is located within the Kemen PUPR complex at Jl. Pattimura no. 20, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. As Salam means safety and welfare. This mosque offers a serene escape from Jakarta’s urban hustle.
Originally built on March 11, 1976, Masjid As Salam was inaugurated by Minister of PUTL, Ir. Soetami. The current structure is the result of renovations in 2003-2004. It was inaugurated on October 19, 2004, by Minister of Kimpraswil, DR.Ir. Soenarno Dipl. HE. Phd.
The architecture of Masjid As Salam is modern minimalist, yet it has traditional Javanese touches on its roof. Simple box-shaped windows give a minimalist feel. The rocket-like tower shows a modern touch. Pipes arranged askew surround the rocket. They are reminiscent of the Pasupati bridge in Bandung.
Sadly, a later addition in 2012 marred the mosque’s facade. A building for ablutions now covers half of the front view.
Inside Masjid As Salam, the main prayer hall on the first floor spans approximately 200 square meters. The second floor adds about 130 square meters. The mosque can accommodate around 700 worshipers. A void occupies a third of the front area.
Red Dunhill carpets with dotted motifs cover the floor. Black marble adorns the altar wall. A digital mosque clock and 16 floral ornaments add to the interior. There are also reminders to switch off cellphones.
The mihrab is a 2-meter wide and 3.5-meter deep recess. White sides converge above in a cloud shape. A cabinet clock, prayer rug, and pulpit are inside the mihrab. The pulpit is made of wood. It features Jepara-style carvings. The interior lacks calligraphy or Islamic ornaments.
The ceiling under the dome is shaped like a limasan. It features green-painted wooden arrangements. An antique lamp hangs from the center. Its lampshade looks like a yellow flower. The flower has three tiers of 16-16-8 configurations. This is the only decoration in the mosque. It feels refreshing.
To keep worshipers comfortable, Masjid As Salam has 12 fans and 3 helicopter-style fans. Unfortunately, two of the helicopter fans are broken. The Imam enjoys the luxury of a split AC unit.
A recording of Quranic verses signals the call to prayer. Announcements include the previous week’s donations. The donations amounted to Rp.13,485,000. Ustadz H. Aman Ibrahim SE, MA, is the speaker and Imam.
In 2017, a sermon highlighted the vital role of youth in Islam. It mentioned exemplary figures such as Ir. Soekarno and Jend Sudirman. The sermon drew parallels from the stories of prophets. The stories of Nabi Daud AS, Nabi Ibrahim AS, Nabi Yusuf AS and Nabi Muhammad SAW were mentioned. The sermon emphasized faith, knowledge, good morals, and time management.
Remember as you leave Masjid As Salam Kementerian PUPR. Take care of your belongings. Secure your shoes. This house of worship reflects Jakarta’s blend of modernity and tradition.