“Centuries whisper within these walls.” That’s the feeling you get standing before Masjid Jami Al Ma’mur. This historic mosque stands as a testament to Jakarta’s rich past and enduring faith. It is located in Cikini, Menteng, in Central Jakarta.
Masjid Jami Al Ma’mur is more than just a building. It’s a living piece of history that has witnessed Jakarta’s evolution through the centuries. Known also as Masjid Raden Saleh, its origins trace back to the late 19th century. The renowned Indonesian painter Raden Saleh Syarif Bustaman initiated its construction around 1890.
Originally, this sacred space was a simple surau. It was located within Raden Saleh’s extensive estate, near what is now Cikini Hospital. After Raden Saleh passed away, his family sold the land. The land and the surau were bought by Sayed Abdullah bin Alatas. Later, the land was sold to the Dutch colonial government’s Koningen Emma Ziekenhuis foundation.
The foundation intended to build a non-profit hospital and engage in missionary activities. This led to the surau being relocated to its present site. In an unusual move, the community relocated the surau together. They carried it like a palanquin in a lively procession.
As the congregation grew, the community decided to transform the surau into a proper mosque. Local residents contributed what they could. People put milk cans in their homes. They would donate a handful of rice each day into the cans. The collected rice was sold by youths. The money then bought building materials.
The unique aspect? Masjid Jami Al Ma’mur was constructed without architects or engineers. Yet, its design is captivating.
After Indonesia’s independence, a land dispute arose. The Ministry of Agrarian Affairs issued land rights for the hospital to the Indonesian Council of Churches. This prompted negotiations involving the Jakarta government and mosque administrators. Finally, in 1991, the land was returned to the Al Makmur Mosque Foundation.
Masjid Jami Al Ma’mur has architectural features that have been retained, like the wood carvings. Some of the original tiles are still in place. This preservation earned the Masjid Jami Al Ma’mur recognition as a cultural heritage site. The Governor of Jakarta officially designated it so in 1999.
Today, Masjid Jami Al Ma’mur can accommodate up to 700 worshipers. It has seven main doors and ten original teak windows. Besides religious activities, the Al Makmur Mosque Foundation also runs schools.
As you stand here, remember the story of community spirit. Remember the dedication to preserving faith amidst challenges. Masjid Jami Al Ma’mur stands as a symbol of Jakarta’s past. It is a beacon of its future.