Remember Jakarta’s vibrant history as we stand before Masjid Jami An Na’niyah. This mosque is more than just a building. It’s a cultural landmark. It reflects the city’s layered past.
Masjid Jami An Na’niyah stands as a testament to Jakarta’s multiethnic origins. The mosque showcases a mix of architectural styles. It is a blend of Balinese, Chinese and Dutch influences.
Let’s delve into the story of Masjid Jami Angke, officially known as Masjid Jami Angke or Masjid Al-Anwar. It is located in Tambora in Jakarta. It is one of the oldest mosques in Jakarta. Denys Lombard, a historian, has called it one of the most elegant in the old town. Its history reflects the multiethnic origin of colonial Jakarta.
Around the mosque the kampung settlement was known as Kampung Goesti. Balinese people settled here under Kapitan Goesti Ktut Badulu. By the mid-18th century this community had converted from Hinduism to Islam.
The mosque was founded on April 2 1761. The main benefactors were Nyonya Tan and its building contractor Syaikh Liong Tan. Both were Muslim converts from Batavia’s local Chinese community.
The mosque is located close to a canal known as Angke. Ang means “blood” in Hokkian. Ke means “carcass”. The stream was located close to a slaughterhouse. It was contaminated with blood and carcasses. The area is still known as Pejagalan which means “slaughterhouse”.
Prince Syarif Hamid, a Sultan from Pontianak, was captured by the Dutch in 1856. He was held at Manggadua. He died and was buried in front of the mosque on July 17 1858. People from Pontianak often visit his grave. Many of them decided to stay at Angke. Many Chinese in this area are devout Muslims. Many tombstones near the mosque bear Chinese and Arabic inscriptions. The oldest tombstones show Islamic Banten and Aceh origins.
The Angke mosque has been restored several times. This was in 1970, 1985 to 1987 and 2016. The building is a cultural heritage site protected under law.
It is the only mosque in Jakarta that has remained unaltered since it was built. Its roof is on two levels. This is the typical Javanese style for roofs of places of worship. The architecture of the mosque follows the form of a traditional mosque of Java. This is apparent in its tiered roof. Various different elements like Balinese, Chinese and Dutch are apparent throughout the house of worship.
Balinese elements are pronounced particularly in the mosque’s window shutters. The tips of its roof take the form of a Balinese punggel. It curves up like in traditional Balinese architecture. The bracketing construction of the roof follows Chinese norms. Some of the decorative elements on the roof take the form of a Chinese lotus. It’s a symbol of Buddhist enlightenment. Dutch colonial influences are also apparent in the main door and window ornamentation of the mosque.
The mosque is of small size at 15 x 15 m within a land of 400 sqm. The mosque complex contains a cemetery.
The story of Masjid Jami Angke intertwines diverse cultures and faiths. It is a symbol of Jakarta’s rich heritage. As you explore its architecture remember the blend of influences that shaped it. Appreciate the harmony of Balinese, Chinese and Dutch elements. Recognize the enduring legacy of Islam in Jakarta.