“Faith can move mountains,” the old saying goes. Here at Mushola Al Fudhola, we see a testament to that belief. This is a story of resilience and relocation.
Let’s step back in time. The original Masjid Al-Fudhola stood in Pejongkoran. This area is now part of the bustling Tanjung Priok terminal and port. As the port expanded the mosque had to move.
Thanks to the efforts of Haji Armin, H. Muntaha, and other community leaders, the mosque was moved in 1918. Its new location was on Jalan Dobo no.4. This street is now known as Jalan Timor Raya. Interestingly the mosque was renamed Attauhid then. It came under the management of PT. Terminal Peti Kemas Koja.
From 1918 to 1950, Masjid Al-Fudhola was simple. Locals knew it as “masjid gang 18” or “masjid PKP”. PKP stood for lapangan Pertamina. Leadership changed frequently between 1953. This was often due to the passing of board members.
In 1953, KH.Syafi’i and his colleagues took over. They led until 2009 when the mosque moved to Kampung Beting. During KH.Syafi’i’s tenure, figures like H. Ya’kub, KH.Syatibi, and H. Uding Syamsuddin helped. Al-Habib Syekh Al-Jufri also played a role. Crucially, Radio Agustina broadcasted the mosque’s activities. This made them known throughout Jakarta. Its strategic location further helped Masjid Al-Fudhola thrive. It became a hub for the community.
To enhance its activities, the Al-Fudhola Foundation was established August 1, 1978. The foundation aimed to oversee the mosque’s various programs. The foundation planned to build the Al-Fudhola pesantren. It was to be located in Kampung Walang on a large plot of land now a tax office.
However, disagreements arose in 1994. These disagreements involved the planned relocation of Masjid Al-Fudhola. The expansion of the Koja Container Terminal caused this. The dream of the pesantren faded. The founders could not agree. They had to divide the foundation’s assets including the land for the pesantren.
After these disagreements, the mosque and foundation declined. This continued until its final move to Kampung Beting December 28, 2002. In 2009, H. Sofyan Sidik, H. Syafi’i’s son, took over the foundation. Yet, Masjid Al-Fudhola has struggled to regain its former prominence.
Although it faced many challenges, the spirit of Al-Fudhola lives on. It reflects the community’s enduring faith and determination. It embodies a will to preserve their place of worship. It is a story of how a mosque adapted to changing times. It is a symbol of Jakarta’s dynamic history.