“Ever wondered about Jakarta’s oldest mosques? Let’s explore Masjid Jami’ Alkhosyi’ien.
Masjid Jami’ Alkhosyi’ien stands as a testament to Jakarta’s rich Islamic heritage. It is a place of worship. It serves as a cultural landmark. The mosque is more than just bricks and mortar.
The story of Masjid Jami’ Alkhosyi’ien is intertwined with the history of Islam in Jakarta. Muslim merchants from India played a crucial role. They built mosques to meet their needs. They needed places to worship. Masjid Jami Kampung Baru Inpak is another name for one such mosque. It was erected by Syeikh Abubakar. He was one of the Muslim merchants. Construction started in 1743. It finished in 1748.
Interestingly, a Dutch article from 1829 refers to it as the Moorsche Tempel. This translates to Temple of the Moors. The term Moorish often identified Indian Muslims. Moors usually means a Muslim ethnic group in North Africa. They conquered Europe and established an empire of Islam in Andalusia.
Originally, the building had a central square called keranka. There were carved setandan grapes. Some pillars remained by the windows. In the late 1980s, the old buildings in Pekojan faced dismantling for a flyover. This improvement effort damaged Kampung Baru Mosque. This happened regardless of its historical and architectural value.
The mosque’s basic plan is square. It features a roof overlap. The upper roof is pyramid-shaped. The shape resembles traditional Javanese buildings. They typically have four soko guru pillars in the middle. These support the pyramid-shaped roof.
The mosque covers approximately 1050 square meters. The floor is covered in white tiles. Green mats spread over them. Partly red colored mats also exist. An antique lamp hangs in the sky. It has been there since the mosque was built. Once, the mosque had a beautiful pulpit. It was made of carved wood. The pulpit has since been replaced. The original pulpit is now in the Jakarta History Museum.
Visiting Masjid Jami’ Alkhosyi’ien connects us to Jakarta’s past. It reminds us of the diverse influences that have shaped the city. From Indian merchants to Javanese architecture, it represents Jakarta’s unique blend of cultures. As you leave this historic site, carry with you a deeper understanding. Remember Jakarta’s layered history. Remember its vibrant cultural tapestry.”