Five minarets pierce the Jakarta sky. They stand tall above the Masjid KH Hasyim Asyari a magnificent testament to faith and community.
This isn’t just any mosque. The Masjid KH Hasyim Asyari is Jakarta’s first grand mosque fully operated by the city administration. It’s named after the esteemed national hero KH Hasyim Asy’ari founder of Nahdlatul Ulama a hugely influential Islamic organization in Indonesia. President Joko Widodo himself inaugurated this impressive structure on April 15 2017.
The idea for this grand mosque blossomed while Joko Widodo was still the governor of Jakarta back in 2012. He was surprised to learn that Jakarta despite its size lacked a city-owned grand mosque. The Istiqlal Mosque although massive is a national mosque not under the city’s direct administration. This realization spurred the ambitious project. Construction began in June 2013.
The Masjid KH Hasyim Asyari is a beautiful example of Betawi architecture. Its design incorporates traditional Betawi elements like the distinctive “gigi balang” tooth ornaments found on many Betawi houses. The five minarets symbolize the five pillars of Islam. The mosque’s layout is shaped like a ‘T’ the central section dedicated to worship. Two minarets flank the front while another two stand on the right wing and one on the left. These wings house additional facilities. The mosque boasts a large central triangle with four smaller ones in front.
Built on a sprawling 2.4 hectares of land the mosque can comfortably accommodate 12500 worshippers. It’s not just a place of prayer. It also offers an office space a 1000-person capacity function hall and a library a true community hub. The construction cost a substantial US$12.8 million funded by the DKI Jakarta APBD budget.
The mosque’s location near the Daan Mogot Rusunawa (apartment complex) is easily accessible by public transportation. You can take TransJakarta bus corridor three and get off at the Pesakih stop. It’s a short walk from there. This is a vibrant part of Jakarta that seamlessly blends the old and new traditions reflecting the spirit of the mosque itself. The Masjid KH Hasyim Asyari stands as a symbol of faith tradition community and the modern face of Jakarta. It is truly a sight to behold.