“Imagine traders from distant lands.” That’s how the story of Masjid Jami’ Nur Daradjatun could begin. But its true tale is even more captivating. Let’s journey back in time. Picture Jakarta centuries ago, a bustling port city. Muslim merchants from India arrived. They sought a place to worship. That’s how Masjid Jami Kampung Baru Inpak was born. It is also known as Masjid Kampung Baru or Bandengan Mosque. It is one of Jakarta’s oldest mosques.
Construction started in 1743. It finished in 1748. Syeikh Abubakar built it. He was a Muslim merchant from India. He lived in the area. In 1829, a Dutch article called it the Moorsche Tempel. That translates to Temple of the Moors. This suggests Muslim Moors built it. Later, the term Moorish identified Indian Muslims. The term Moorish usually identifies a Muslim ethnic group in North Africa. They once conquered Europe. They established an Islamic empire in Andalusia, Spain.
Masjid Jami Kampung Baru Inpak stands on Jalan Bandengan Selatan. It’s close to Masjid Al-Anshor in Pekojan, Tambora, Jakarta. The provincial government of DKI Jakarta has designated it as cultural heritage.
The mosque’s original shape has changed. Only the keranka central square remains. Carved setandan grapes and some pillars on the windows are also original. In the late 1980s, a flyover project damaged the mosque. Old buildings in Pekojan were dismantled. The basic plan is a square with a roof overlap. The upper roof is pyramid-shaped. This resembles traditional Javanese buildings. Usually, four pillars of soko guru support the pyramid-shaped roof.
The mosque covers about 1050 square meters. The floor is covered in white tiles. Green and red mats spread over them. An antique lamp hangs in the sky. It has been there since the mosque was built. Once, the mosque had a beautiful carved wood pulpit. It was replaced. The original pulpit is now in the Jakarta History Museum.
Consider also Masjid Jami Angke. It is also known as Masjid Al-Anwar. It is in Tambora, Jakarta too. It is another of Jakarta’s oldest mosques. Historian Denys Lombard called it one of the most elegant of the old town. Its history reflects colonial Jakarta’s multiethnic origin.
The Kampung Goesti settlement surrounded the mosque. Balinese people led by Kapitan Goesti Ktut Badulu settled there. By the mid-18th century, they converted to Islam. The mosque was founded on April 2, 1761. Nyonya Tan and Syaikh Liong Tan were the main benefactors. They were Muslim converts from Batavia’s Chinese community.
The mosque stands near the Angke canal. Angke means blood and carcass in Hokkian. The stream was near a slaughterhouse. The area is still known as Pejagalan, meaning slaughterhouse. Prince Syarif Hamid, a Sultan from Pontianak, was held by the Dutch in 1856. He was buried in front of the mosque in 1858. People from Pontianak often visit his grave. Many Chinese in this area are devout Muslims. Many tombstones bear Chinese and Arabic inscriptions. The oldest tombstones show Islamic Banten and Aceh origins.
Masjid Jami Angke has been restored several times. It happened in 1970, 1985–1987, and 2016. It is a cultural heritage site protected by law. It is the only mosque in Jakarta that has remained unaltered since it was built. Its roof has two levels. This is typical Javanese style. The architecture blends Javanese, Balinese, Chinese, and Dutch elements. Balinese elements appear in the window shutters. The roof tips curve up like traditional Balinese architecture. The roof’s bracketing construction follows Chinese norms. Some decorative elements take the form of a Chinese lotus. Dutch colonial influences appear in the main door and window ornamentation. The mosque is small 15 x 15 m. The land is 400 sqm. The mosque complex contains a cemetery.
So, as you stand before Masjid Jami’ Nur Daradjatun, remember these layers of history. This is a place of worship. It is also a testament to Jakarta’s diverse past. It reflects the blend of cultures and faiths that shaped this city.