How about discovering a place that embodies “two happinesses”? That’s the meaning behind the name of Masjid Jami Sa’adatuddaraen. It signifies happiness in this world and the hereafter. This mosque is a gem located in South Jakarta. More precisely, it’s on Jalan Pejaten Raya. It is not far from the Universitas Nasional and about 1.8 km northwest of Pasar Minggu Station.
Imagine arriving at Masjid Jami Sa’adatuddaraen. You see a charming and graceful building. Its colors are a soothing green and a rich golden brown. The architecture reflects a Middle Eastern style reminiscent of Ottoman Turkey. Look at the striking dome and minarets that define its character. The green dome sits atop the building with elegant golden lines. It is flanked by two minarets on the front sides. Notice the GRC ornaments along the roof’s edge. They add a touch of sophistication. The ornaments resemble a decorative fence. This enhances the mosque’s visual appeal.
The facade is dominated by stairs. These stairs lead worshippers to the second floor. This adds to the mosque’s majestic presence. Masjid Jami Sa’adatuddaraen was completed in 2009. It stands on a land area of 1600 square meters. The complex includes a TPA and Raydhatul Athfal or Kindergarten. They stand side by side with the mosque.
As you ascend the 23 steps to the second floor, your eyes are drawn to the beautiful door. It is made of teak wood. It’s adorned with golden diamond patterns. The prayer room is shaped like an irregular pentagon. It accommodates the Qibla direction. The main area is about 200 square meters. This mosque can hold around 800 worshippers under normal conditions. An additional space is available. The parking area can accommodate another 200 people.
Your gaze is immediately drawn to the mihrab. It takes up a third of the altar space. The mihrab is bordered by GRC ornaments. They feature many-sided star motifs. The motifs are painted in a blend of green and yellow. The mihrab itself is a niche with a rectangular face. It curves at the top. It’s three meters wide, three meters high and three meters deep. The edges are painted with a greyish-white marble pattern. Inside the mihrab, there is a prayer mat for the imam. There is also a lectern and a mimbar. The mimbar is made of plain wooden box. It features a raised carving of the word Allah on the front. The wall behind the mihrab narrows creating an angled effect. On its corner, there is a calligraphy of the Tauhid sentence. It is gold in color with a green background. Flanking the upper part of the mihrab are framed calligraphies. “Allah” is on the right and “Prophet Muhammad SAW” is on the left. Niches mirroring the mihrab’s design flank each side. They display antique cupboard clocks.
The left side of the altar wall is covered in cream-colored ceramics. The right side features a roster with star-shaped patterns. Another striking feature is the dome’s interior. This eight-meter diameter indentation is painted with a blue sky and clouds. The dome is supported by eight pillars. They are covered in black ceramic. Natural light comes through 24 fixed windows. They feature anti-glare glass and engravings of Allah’s names. The spaces between the windows display Asma’ul Husna calligraphy. It has a blend of white and green colors. The lowest part of the dome is adorned with stacked calligraphy. It has yellow color with a purple background. A five-tiered crystal chandelier hangs from the center of the dome. It resembles a candle and has 60 lights. The lights are configured in 4-8-12-16-20. The room is bordered by rosters interspersed with stained glass windows. The windows feature a mix of green, white, yellow and blue colors. They are engraved with the names of Allah and Prophet Muhammad SAW.
The floor is covered with 30 x 30 cm white ceramic tiles. This is kept bare to meet Covid-19 protocols. For comfort, the room has six split air conditioners. There are also four cabinet air conditioners. Eight helicopter-style fans and two high-powered mobile fans are available. The windows and doors are kept wide open for air circulation.
Masjid Jami Sa’adatuddaraen is not just a place of worship. It’s a sanctuary that encapsulates the essence of happiness in both worlds. It is a testament to architectural beauty and spiritual serenity.