Masjid Baitul Muttaqin

Could a single tear inspire the creation of a magnificent house of worship? At Masjid Baitul Muttaqin in Samarinda, the answer seems to be yes. This grand mosque, the second largest in Indonesia after Masjid Istiqlal in Jakarta, has a story steeped in inspiration and ambition. Masjid Baitul Muttaqin’s journey began in the year 2000. Then-Governor of East Kalimantan, Suwarna Abdul Fatah, traveled to Medina for the Hajj pilgrimage. While at the Masjid Nabawi, he was deeply moved. He envisioned a similar grand mosque in his own province. Upon his return, with tears in his eyes, he shared this vision. He tasked Awang Darma Bhakti, then-Head of the East Kalimantan Public Works Department, to plan the mosque’s construction. The site chosen was a 7.2-hectare plot, formerly a timber yard owned by PT Inhutani I. The company generously donated the land to the provincial government. Construction of Masjid Baitul Muttaqin commenced on July 5, 2001. The groundbreaking ceremony, held in Bontang, was led by Indonesia’s fourth president, Abdurrahman Wahid. The first pillar was laid by the fifth president, Megawati Soekarno Putri. After seven years of dedicated work, Masjid Baitul Muttaqin was inaugurated on June 16, 2008, by the sixth president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The mosque’s official name, “Baitul Muttaqin,” meaning “House of the God-Fearing,” was bestowed on August 20, 2014, by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Lukman Hakim Saifuddin. The main building of Masjid Baitul Muttaqin spans an impressive 43,500 square meters. An additional 7,115 square meters house supporting facilities. The main structure includes a basement, a ground floor, a main floor, and a mezzanine. Seven towers grace the mosque’s skyline. The tallest, the 99-meter Asmaul Husna Tower, stands as a symbol of the 99 names of Allah. This main tower has 15 floors, each approximately 6 meters high. Four other 70-meter towers mark the corners of the mosque. Two more 57-meter towers flank the entrance gate. In the ground floor lobby, a massive beduk, a traditional Indonesian drum, commands attention. Crafted from a single Kalimantan tree trunk with a diameter of 180 centimeters, this unique drum was a gift from Suwarna Abdul Fatah. Masjid Baitul Muttaqin is more than just a place of worship. It’s a vibrant community hub. It hosts a kindergarten, an elementary school, and a Quranic learning center. Other facilities include a polyclinic, a dormitory, a multipurpose building, residences for the imam and mosque staff, a mini-museum, and an Islamic Center radio and TV station. A library, stocked with religious and general literature, serves as a valuable resource for the community. Today, Masjid Baitul Muttaqin stands as a beacon of faith and community. Its modern lighting system illuminates the night sky, transforming the mosque into a breathtaking spectacle. It’s a symbol of pride for Samarinda and a testament to the power of a single tear, shed in a moment of inspiration.