Recall a time long ago. Jakarta was a different place. The Masjid Bungur stands as a testament to Jakarta’s rich history.
Today we explore Masjid Bungur. We delve into its past and its cultural significance.
Historic buildings in Jakarta are protected by law. They are regarded as living monuments. These buildings preserve culture. Some old Masjids were established pre-colonially. Others arose during the colonial and post-independence eras. The Masjid Bungur is one of these storied places.
The Angke Mosque is another old mosque in Jakarta. It is officially known as Masjid Jami Angke or Masjid Al-Anwar. It is located in Tambora. The historian Denys Lombard called it one of the most elegant in the old town. The Angke Mosque’s history reflects Jakarta’s multiethnic origin.
The kampung settlement around the Angke Mosque was known as Kampung Goesti. Balinese people settled there. They were led by Kapitan Goesti Ktut Badulu. By the mid-eighteenth century, this community converted from Hinduism to Islam.
The Angke Mosque was founded on April 2, 1761. Nyonya Tan and Syaikh Liong Tan were the main benefactors. They were Muslim converts from Batavia’s local Chinese community.
The Angke Mosque is located near a canal known as Angke. Angke means “blood” and “carcass” in Hokkien. The stream was close to a slaughterhouse. It was contaminated with blood. The area is still known as Pejagalan meaning “slaughterhouse”.
In 1856 Prince Syarif Hamid was captured by the Dutch. He was a Sultan from Pontianak. He was held at Manggadua. When he died he was buried in front of the Angke Mosque on July 17, 1858. People from Pontianak often visit his grave. Many stay in Angke. Many Chinese in this area are devout Muslims. Tombstones near the mosque bear Chinese and Arabic inscriptions. The oldest tombstones show Islamic Banten and Aceh origins.
The Angke mosque has been restored several times. Restorations occurred in 1970, 1985–1987 and 2016. The building is a cultural heritage site protected under law.
The Angke Mosque is the only mosque in Jakarta that has remained unaltered since it was built. Its roof is on two levels. It’s a typical Javanese style for roofs of worship places. The architecture of the Angke Mosque follows a traditional Javanese form. Its tiered roof is apparent. Balinese, Chinese and Dutch elements are visible.
Balinese elements are pronounced. This is especially clear in the mosque’s window shutters. The tips of its roof curve up like in traditional Balinese architecture. The roof’s bracketing construction follows Chinese norms. Some decorative elements on the roof take the form of a Chinese lotus. It’s a symbol of Buddhist enlightenment. Dutch colonial influences are also apparent. They can be seen in the main door and window ornamentation.
The Angke Mosque is small. It is 15 x 15 m within a land of 400 sqm. The mosque complex contains a cemetery.
Another mosque is the Jami Kampung Baru Inpak Mosque. It is also known as Masjid Kampung Baru or Bandengan Mosque. It is one of the oldest mosques in Jakarta. It is located at Jalan Bandengan Selatan. This is close to Masjid Al-Anshor. Muslim merchants from India built it. They used to travel to and live in Batavia. The mosque has been designated as cultural heritage. This designation was made by the provincial government of DKI Jakarta.
Traders and merchants from Arabia and India settled in this region. Traders from India built the mosque. This met their need to perform worship. Jami Kampung Baru Mosque was built by Syeikh Abubakar. He was a Muslim merchant from India. Construction began in 1743 and was completed in 1748.
At present the building is not in its original shape. Only the remaining keranka central square remains. Carved setandan grapes and some pillars remain on the windows. In the late 1980s, old buildings in Pekojan were dismantled for a flyover. Kampung Baru Mosque suffered damage. The basic plan of the mosque is square. It has a roof overlap. The upper roof is pyramid shaped. This mosque resembles traditional Javanese buildings. There are usually 4 pillars of soko guru in the middle of the building. This acts as a buffer for the pyramid-shaped roof.
The area of the mosque is about 1,050 square meters. The floor is covered with a white-colored head. Over it is spread a green colored mat. Partly it has red colored bewarna. An antic lamp hangs in the mosque’s sky. This lamp has been there since the mosque was standing. This mosque once had the most beautiful pulpit. It was made of carved wood. The pulpit has been replaced. The original pulpit is now stored in the Jakarta History Museum.
Masjid Bungur has witnessed centuries of change. It remains a beacon of faith. It reflects the diverse cultural influences that have shaped Jakarta. Take a moment to appreciate the history. Feel the sense of community. Remember the stories within these walls.