“Eleven thousand tons of rice. Can you imagine that?” That is what the people of Jember contributed to build this very Masjid Jami’ Al Baitul Amin.
Welcome to Masjid Jami’ Al Baitul Amin. It is a unique mosque in Jember. Its architecture is different from other mosques. Many say it looks like the MPR/DPR building in Jakarta. This resemblance makes it a source of pride for the community.
No one knows exactly when Masjid Jami’ Al Baitul Amin was built. Dutch documents show a building on this land since December 19, 1894. The land was about 2,760 square meters. Records show the mosque was renovated in 1939. It was updated again in 1973.
The building stands out with its seven round domes. These domes represent the vast needs of humanity. The shape influences many religions and traditions. Think of the Dome of the Rock or the Kaaba. Other legendary mosques also use this shape. These include the Ibn Tulun Mosque and the Al-Azhar Mosque. People often call Masjid Jami’ Al Baitul Amin the “Mushroom Mosque” or the “Seven Domes Mosque”.
Look closely. The five main domes plus the two smaller ones for ablution are signs of Allah’s power. They symbolize the seven layers of sky and earth. Inside the main dome, there are 17 pillars. These pillars remind us of Indonesia’s independence day on August 17 1945. The number 17 also symbolizes Nuzulul Quran on the 17th of Ramadan.
Step inside the main prayer area. Notice the Carara marble from Italy. It was chosen because local marble was not available in the required size. Each piece measures 120 x 60 cm, the same size as a prayer rug.
The mihrab and mimbar have three arches. These arches symbolize the three elements of religion. These are faith Islam and ihsan. In the mihrab arch, Al Mukarom KH Achmad Shiddiq had a verse from the Quran written. It is from Surat Thaha verse 14.
Yaying K. Kesser designed the new Masjid Jami’ Al Baitul Amin. He studied in California. The design resembles the MPR/DPR building in Jakarta. The mosque has a dome and a single minaret. The old mosque combined Nusantara European and Middle Eastern styles. The new one represents modern civilization.
In 1958 Soewarno Soetopamekas started a unique renovation project. He collected kecap bottles from the community. He sold them to raise money. This shows the community’s dedication. Later in the 1970s the community donated 11000 tons of rice. This raised Rp 518 million for the new mosque. It was officially opened on May 3 1976.
Today the new mosque is used for worship. The old mosque is now a school run by the Al Baitul Amien Foundation.
Since 2022 the mosque’s colors have changed to white and gold. Previously it was mostly green. The renovation included repainting the domes doors courtyard gate and grounds. Kasih Fajarini the wife of the Regent of Jember funded this.
Masjid Jami’ Al Baitul Amin is more than a building. It is a symbol of unity. It represents the history and spirit of Jember. It is a place where people come together to worship and celebrate their faith.