Whispers of ancient devotion linger here. This is Masjid Jami’ Al-Atiq. It stands as Jakarta’s oldest mosque. Are you ready to hear its story?
Masjid Jami’ Al-Atiq began humbly. It was a small prayer space. Banten soldiers built it during their attack on Batavia that was Jakarta. Initially, people called it Masjid Kandang Kuda. This was because it stood in a village of horse-cart drivers.
Later, it became Masjid Jami’ Kampung Melayu. In the 1970s, Governor Ali Sadikin renamed it Masjid Jami’ Al-Atiq. Al-Atiq means “the oldest” in Arabic. The name reflects the mosque’s age. It is believed to be Jakarta’s oldest.
Some say Sultan Maulana Hasanudin of Banten founded Masjid Jami’ Al-Atiq. He ruled from 1552 to 1570. Hasanudin was the son of Sunan Gunung Jati. Sunan Gunung Jati was one of the Wali Songo. These were revered saints from Cirebon.
Others believe Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa built it in 1632. At that time, he fought against the VOC that was the Dutch East India Company. Masjid Jami’ Al-Atiq’s location near the Ciliwung River supports this. Warriors used rivers for transport and water in the old times. Kings often rested near rivers as well.
Those who believe Hasanudin founded it see similarities between its architecture. They see similarities to mosques in Central Java. These mosques were built by the Wali Songo. Regardless of its exact origins, Masjid Jami’ Al-Atiq remains a beloved place of worship.
Originally, the mosque had simple designs. It lacked grand decorations like modern mosques. Four wooden pillars supported the roof in the center. Now, concrete pillars replace these. The original ornaments are now in Jakarta’s history museum. Today, Masjid Jami’ Al-Atiq appears more modern. However, it retains its original essence.
Masjid Jami’ Al-Atiq now has two floors. It features a distinctive trident on the minaret’s peak. Its spaciousness and cleanliness show careful maintenance.
Masjid Jami’ Al-Atiq’s structure resembles the Demak Great Mosque. Despite its age, worshippers still come to pray and study. Its location near the road makes it easily accessible. Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin’s legacy lives on here. He was the first Sultan of Banten.
Interestingly, Si Pitung and Si Ji’ih hid here. They were Betawi heroes. They fought against the Dutch. They escaped from Meester Cornelis prison in the 1890s. A local cleric sheltered them for months.
One of the sacred objects in Masjid Jami’ Al-Atiq is the wooden staff. The preacher uses it during Friday sermons. Once, an old woman tried to scrape wood from it. She wanted to cure her sick husband. An “orang pintar” or shaman told her to seek Jakarta’s oldest mosque. The shaman advised using the wood to cure her husband. It worked. Her husband recovered.
In 1996, a severe flood hit Jakarta. The flood damaged Masjid Al-Atiq. It also destroyed important documents. The mosque is only three meters from the Ciliwung River.
So, as we stand before Masjid Jami’ Al-Atiq remember its long history. It is a symbol of faith. It is also a symbol of resilience. It connects us to Jakarta’s past.