Did you know that Mesjid Al Jihad was part of a significant religious movement? Here before us stands Mesjid Al Jihad. This place of worship is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a testament to a community’s journey.
The story begins in the early 20th century. The Ahmadiyya movement started to spread its teachings. Khwaja Kamaluddin was invited to Indonesia in 1920. The Dutch Empire hoped he could spread Ahmadiyya beliefs. They wanted to influence Muslims in their colonies.
Kamaluddin toured Surabaya and Batavia which is now Jakarta. He shared his beliefs. This tour wasn’t widely reported. The Dutch favored Ahmadiyya teachings. They wanted them spread among Muslims in their colonies.
In 1923, four Indonesian men were sent to Qadian for missionary training. Their names were Maulwi Abu Bakr Ayub sahib, Maulwi Ahmad Nur-ud-din sahib, Maulwi Zani Halaan sahib and Haji Mahmood sahib.
The Lahori-Ahmadiyya group sent missionaries in 1924. Maulana Ahmad, Hafiz Muhammad Hasan Cheema and Mirza Wali Ahmad Baig came to Indonesia. Maulana Ahmad fell ill and returned to India. Mirza Wali Ahmad Baig stayed until 1937.
By 1979, the Ahmadiyya movement claimed 74 mosques in Indonesia and Borneo. They also had 13 mission houses. Among these mosques is Mesjid Al Jihad.
Indonesia’s first President, Sukarno, even met with Ahmadi missionaries. Syed Shah Muhammad Sahib and Hafiz Qudratullah Sahib were among them. These meetings highlight the early interactions between the Ahmadiyya community and Indonesian leaders.
The Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Indonesia was Abdul Basit Shahid. He has been the Amir since at least 2013.
The Missionary-in-Charge was Mirajuddin Shahid Sahib. These leaders guide the community today.
Other Ahmadiyya places of worship include Masjid Mubarak in Padang built in 1979. Baitur Rahman in Bogor also serves as a mosque. These mosques show the spread of Ahmadiyya beliefs across Indonesia.
In October 1920, Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din toured Southeast Asia. He visited the Dutch colony of Indonesia. This shows the early interest in Ahmadiyya teachings in the region.
In 1923, four young Indonesian men sought religious education in British-India. They found their way to Qadian. The British government gave them visas.
In 1924, Indonesian students in Qadian asked their caliph to visit. The caliph sent a missionary instead. This shows the growing interest in Ahmadiyya teachings.
In the summer of 1925, Rahmat Ali, an Ahmadiyya missionary, arrived in Sumatra. With this, the foundation of the Ahmadiyya movement in Indonesia was laid.
In 1931, Rahmat Ali moved to Batavia which is now Jakarta. This move brought Ahmadiyya teachings to the capital.
In 1935, R. Muhyiddin was elected as the first president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Indonesia. This marked a milestone in the community’s organization.
Today, Mesjid Al Jihad stands as a symbol of faith. It represents the journey of the Ahmadiyya community in Indonesia. Its story is intertwined with the nation’s history. It reflects the challenges and triumphs of a community striving to practice its beliefs.