Musala Al Hasanah

Slipping through the narrow lanes of Kemayoran, we arrive at Musala Al Hasanah. It’s a seemingly ordinary place of worship. But Musala Al Hasanah holds an extraordinary story. A story of resilience, faith, and the inexplicable. In January 2025, a devastating fire swept through Kampung Gempol, leaving destruction in its wake. Homes were reduced to ashes, and the air was thick with smoke. Yet, amidst the devastation, Musala Al Hasanah stood defiant. The fire raged around it, scorching the walls and melting fixtures. But the interior of Musala Al Hasanah remained remarkably untouched. The Quran, housed in a wooden cabinet, survived without a single scorch mark. Even the prayer rugs and calligraphy remained pristine. The loudspeakers placed atop the cabinet were charred, the doors and other furniture were blackened, the walls singed by the intense heat. Yet, the ground floor, the heart of Musala Al Hasanah, remained largely intact, becoming a refuge for those displaced by the fire. This small, unassuming Musala has a history that goes back to 1983. It was inaugurated by no less a figure than Try Sutrisno, then Commander of the Jakarta Military Region, later to become Indonesia’s Vice President. The plaque commemorating the event still stands as a testament to Musala Al Hasanah’s significance. While the physical structure of Musala Al Hasanah is modest, its story resonates with a power that transcends its size. It speaks of a community’s faith and a place of worship that became a beacon of hope in the face of disaster.