Is it possible that a seemingly small mosque holds centuries of history? Masjid Jami Al Mukarrohmah does. It stands as a testament to Jakarta’s rich Islamic heritage. This mosque is more than just a place of worship. It is a historical landmark. It has witnessed the spread of Islam in this region.
Masjid Jami Al Mukarrohmah can accommodate 600 to 700 people. You will find it on Jalan Lodan Raya 99 in Kampung Bandan. This is in Ancol, North Jakarta. Despite its modest size, the Masjid Jami Al Mukarrohmah attracts many visitors. Pilgrims come here to pay their respects. They seek blessings at the tombs of revered Islamic scholars.
Let me tell you about the origins of this sacred place. According to Alwi Bin Ali Asy Syathri, the mosque’s chairman, two prominent ulama are buried here. These scholars hailed from Yemen. They dedicated their lives to spreading Islam across Nusantara. Their journey took them from India to Aceh. They finally arrived in Jakarta. Here they preached until their deaths.
These two scholars were Habib Mohammad Bin Umar Qlqudsi and Habib Ali Bin Abdurrahman Ba’Alawi. Habib Mohammad Bin Umar Qlqudsi passed away in 1697. Habib Ali Bin Abdurrahman Ba’Alawi died in 1701. Their legacies lived on. Two centuries later, Habib Abdurrahman Bin Alwi Asy Syathri arrived. In 1879, he built this mosque. It was built beside the tombs of his predecessors. In 2006, it was renamed Masjid Jami Al Mukarrohmah. Jami means Jamaah. Al Mukarrohmah means that is glorified by Allah.
Near the Masjid Jami Al Mukarrohmah, you will notice two date palms. These trees are about 40 years old. Interestingly, one tree near the entrance no longer bears fruit. The other one still produces dates. It fruits especially around Ramadan or Eid. Pilgrims often request the young dates from this tree. They believe these dates can help with fertility. Some believe that the dates can assist couples trying to conceive.
There are four tombs of Islamic scholars within the Masjid Jami Al Mukarrohmah complex. Besides these, there are three unnamed tombs. Alwi explains that these belong to residents of Kampung Bandan. These people were brought from Banda, Maluku by the Dutch VOC. They were prisoners of war. A visitor from Banda once noted that the headstones matched those in his homeland.
During Ramadan, Masjid Jami Al Mukarrohmah provides 80 to 100 takjil meals. These meals are for the pilgrims who come to visit. People travel from across Jakarta and beyond. They come to seek blessings and pay homage at Masjid Jami Al Mukarrohmah.
Masjid Jami Al Mukarrohmah stands as a beacon of faith. It represents history and community. It reminds us of the enduring legacy of Islam in Jakarta. It is a place where tradition meets devotion. A place where the past enriches the present.