Masjid Babah Alun

Beneath the hum of the Depok-Antasari Toll Road, a surprising sight awaits: Masjid Babah Alun. This isn’t your typical Indonesian mosque. Masjid Babah Alun stands as a testament to the beautiful blending of cultures. Its founder, Jusuf Hamka, also known as Babah Alun, envisioned a place where his Chinese heritage and his Muslim faith could intertwine. Born Joseph Alun, he converted to Islam in 1981 at Masjid Al-Azhar in Jakarta. His journey led him to build not just one, but several Masjid Babah Alun mosques across Jakarta, including this one and another notable one in Warakas, Tanjung Priok. The mosque’s design immediately sets it apart. The architecture echoes traditional Chinese structures, a nod to Hamka’s background. The vibrant red and green hues, common in Chinese aesthetics, adorn the mosque. Inside, Arabic calligraphy of the Asmaul Husna (99 names of God) shares space with Chinese inscriptions, a visual representation of cultural harmony. Jusuf Hamka, a successful toll road developer, aimed to build 1,000 mosques in Indonesia. Masjid Babah Alun represents a step toward this ambitious goal. His vision extended beyond simply creating places of worship. He desired to establish destinations for religious tourism, open to everyone, regardless of background. He saw the potential to showcase the beauty of cultural fusion. He believed that Indonesia, with its rich diversity, could learn from countries like the Philippines and Thailand, where the concept of “pribumi” and “non-pribumi” (native and non-native) holds less weight. Masjid Babah Alun isn’t merely a mosque; it’s a symbol of unity, a place where different cultures meet and create something beautiful. It stands as a vibrant reminder of the rich tapestry of Indonesian society, inviting everyone to appreciate the beauty of diversity.