Masjid Darussalam

“A mosque, a school, a community cornerstone.” This thought echoed in Mr. Herman’s mind as he walked towards Masjid Darussalam in Batam. It was 1997. The newly formed Yayasan Darussalam, with Dr. B. Anjar Sisworo at its helm, had just begun its journey. Masjid Darussalam wasn’t just a place of worship. It was the heart of a burgeoning community in the Mukakuning Indah 1 housing complex. It was here, within these walls, that the seeds of an educational dream were sown. Before the formal establishment of schools, Masjid Darussalam itself served as a classroom. The main prayer hall transformed into a learning space for the neighborhood children. The courtyard became their playground. The community, largely made up of company employees, recognized the need for accessible Islamic education. They started with a Play Group and Taman Kanak-Kanak (Kindergarten), initially held in a member’s home. The mosque, once built, became the natural hub for these activities. The Yayasan Darussalam, officially established on March 24, 1997, oversaw these educational endeavors alongside the mosque’s religious functions. Masjid Darussalam, under the guidance of Yayasan Darussalam, continued to grow. The community held regular meetings, often during Yasin recitations, discussing the need for a formal Islamic elementary school. This led to the establishment of SDIT Darussalam in 2002, initially sharing space with the mosque’s existing educational programs. The school later relocated to Taman Jaya Asri housing, marking another milestone for Masjid Darussalam and the community it served. Masjid Darussalam stands as a testament to the vision of its founders. It represents not only a place of worship but also a center for community development and education in Batam.