Standing before Masjid Jami’ Nurul Anwar, can you feel Jakarta’s pulse? This mosque opens its doors at 4:30 AM. It remains open until 9:00 PM.
Masjid Jami’ Nurul Anwar stands as a testament to Jakarta’s rich history. The mosque is located on Jl. Kayu Manis III Baru No. 16. It is in the district of Matraman. This area is Kota Jakarta Timur.
Let’s delve into the story of Masjid Jami’ Nurul Anwar. Its address is RT.17/RW.2, Kayu Manis. The postcode is 13130, Indonesia.
The story of another old mosque in Jakarta, Masjid Angke, reflects Jakarta’s multiethnic origins. Masjid Angke was founded on April 2, 1761. Nyonya Tan and Syaikh Liong Tan were its main benefactors. Both were Muslim converts from Batavia’s Chinese community.
Masjid Angke is near a canal. The canal’s name, Angke, means “blood” and “carcass”. This is because it was near a slaughterhouse. The area is still known as Pejagalan or “slaughterhouse”.
Prince Syarif Hamid, a Sultan from Pontianak, was held near Masjid Angke in 1856. He was captured by the Dutch. After his death, he was buried in front of the mosque on July 17, 1858.
People from Pontianak often visit his grave. Many decided to stay in Angke. Many Chinese in this area are devout Muslims.
Tombstones near Masjid Angke bear Chinese and Arabic inscriptions. The oldest tombstones show Islamic Banten and Aceh origins.
Masjid Angke has been restored several times. The last restoration was from 1985 to 1987. The building is a protected cultural heritage site. It is the only mosque in Jakarta that has remained unaltered since its construction.
The tiered roof follows traditional Javanese mosque design. Balinese, Chinese, and Dutch elements are visible. Balinese elements appear in the window shutters. The roof tips curve like traditional Balinese architecture. The roof’s bracketing construction follows Chinese norms. Some roof decorations resemble a Chinese lotus. Dutch colonial influences are also visible in the doors and windows.
Masjid Angke is small. It measures 15 x 15 meters on a 400 square meter land. The complex includes a cemetery.
While we’re not touring Masjid Angke today, remember that Jakarta’s mosques share a common thread. They reflect the city’s diverse cultural influences and rich history. Masjid Jami’ Nurul Anwar, like Masjid Angke, stands as a testament to Jakarta’s layered past.