“Ever wondered what it’s like to inaugurate a mosque?” That’s what I want to talk about today at Masjid Jami Al Furqon. Jakarta Pusat’s Mayor Dhany Sukma officiated the opening of Masjid Jami Al Furqon. This event coincided with the 71st anniversary of the Ksatrya Lima Satu Education Foundation. It took place on Monday January 3 on Jalan Percetakan Negara. The mosque stands in West Cempaka Putih.
Now let’s move east to Matraman Jakarta Timur. Here stands another Masjid Jami Al Furqon. This Masjid Jami Al Furqon is located at Penegak Gg II No 1 RT 10 RW 2 Pal Meriem. You can reach them at 0218515383. It occupies 760 square meters of land. This land was given as a waqf or grant. The building itself covers 299 square meters.
But there is also Masjid Jami Al-Hurriyah. It was designed by Ago Architects. This mosque spans 745 square meters. It was completed in 2020. Kafin Noe’man captured its essence through photographs. Conwood was one of the manufacturers involved. This mosque is located in a densely populated area. It sits opposite a commuter train station. This three-story building includes a school. It serves as a community verandah.
Architect Frank Gehry once said architecture should speak of its time and place. It should also yearn for timelessness. Early mosques lacked symbolism. They often featured open spaces within fort perimeters. Over time mosques adopted stronger symbolism. They gained open porches. Geometric features and splendor became common. Masjid Jami Al-Hurriyah strives for timelessness. It considers climate culture and people’s habits.
When Islam arrived in Indonesia in the 13th century mosques resembled Hindu temples Buddhist temples and East Asian pagodas. Later mosque architecture borrowed Middle Eastern forms. Onion domes were introduced during the Dutch colonial period. Mosque architecture emphasizes worship and community interaction. The architectural form can be unique. It embodies the community’s identity.
Masjid Jami Al-Hurriyah is also called the Masjid of Light. It dialogues with the sun climate and public interaction. This appears in the architectural design. The mosque features three sloping roofs. Each roof segment divides the area. There is a welcoming porch a terraced worship area and a main worship area. The sloping roof offers shade. Skylights mark different praying times.
The roof and minaret together symbolize the word Allah. This is visible from the train terminal. The mosque relies on cross ventilation instead of air conditioning. Synthetic wood lattices control heat penetration. Stairs terraces and courtyards encourage public interaction. The mosque serves religious purposes. It also serves as a community center. Its design fosters accessibility.