What if I told you that a mosque reflects the multiethnic origin of Jakarta. That mosque is Masjid Jami Angke also known as Masjid Al-Anwar. It is one of Jakarta’s oldest mosques. The Masjid Sampan you see before you has been called one of the most elegant of the old town.
This Masjid Sampan’s history is deeply intertwined with Jakarta’s colonial past. The kampung around the Masjid Sampan was once known as Kampung Goesti. Balinese people under Kapitan Goesti Ktut Badulu settled here. By the mid-eighteenth century this community converted from Hinduism to Islam.
Masjid Sampan was founded on April 2 2761. Nyonya Tan nee Oey and Syaikh Liong Tan were the main benefactors. Both were Muslim converts from Batavia’s local Chinese community.
The mosque’s location has an interesting story. It sits close to a canal known as Angke. Angke means blood and carcass in Hokkian. This name came about because the stream was near a slaughterhouse. Blood and carcasses contaminated it. Even today the area is known as Pejagalan meaning slaughterhouse.
In 1856 Prince Syarif Hamid a Sultan from Pontianak was captured by the Dutch. He was held at Manggadua. Upon his death he was buried in front of the mosque on July 17 1858. People from Pontianak often visit his grave. Many have chosen to stay in Angke. Many Chinese in this area are devout Muslims. Tombstones near the mosque bear Chinese and Arabic inscriptions. The oldest tombstones show Islamic Banten and Aceh origins.
Masjid Sampan has been restored several times. Restorations occurred in 1970 1985 to 1987 and 2016. The building is a cultural heritage site protected by law.
Architecturally Masjid Sampan is unique. It is the only mosque in Jakarta that has remained unaltered since its construction. Its roof has two levels. This is typical Javanese style for places of worship. The architecture follows the form of a traditional Javanese mosque. This is apparent in its tiered roof. Balinese Chinese and Dutch elements are visible throughout.
Balinese elements are particularly noticeable in the mosque’s window shutters. The roof’s tips curve up like in traditional Balinese architecture. The bracketing construction of the roof follows Chinese norms. Some decorative elements on the roof resemble a Chinese lotus. This is a symbol of Buddhist enlightenment. Dutch colonial influences are visible in the main door and window ornamentation.
The mosque itself is small measuring 15 x 15 meters. It sits on a 400 sqm plot. The mosque complex also contains a cemetery.
As you stand here remember the diverse influences. Balinese Chinese Javanese and Dutch styles blend seamlessly. The Masjid Sampan represents Jakarta’s rich cultural tapestry. It is not just a place of worship. It is a testament to history tolerance and the blending of cultures. Take a moment to appreciate this unique heritage.