Slipping through Jakarta’s vibrant tapestry of streets, we find ourselves before Musholla Assa’adah. This unassuming prayer house holds a story far heavier than its modest frame. Musholla Assa’adah is more than just a place of worship. It’s a poignant reminder of a dark chapter in Indonesian history, the Tanjung Priok riots of 1984. The very walls of Musholla Assa’adah witnessed the spark that ignited the unrest. On September 8th, 1984, a soldier entered the prayer house, boots on, to remove posters deemed extremist. He further desecrated the space by splashing gutter water on the walls. This act, seen as a grave insult to the Muslim community, led to a scuffle and the burning of the soldier’s motorcycle. Four individuals were arrested. The incident at Musholla Assa’adah became a catalyst. Five days later, a protest march led by Amir Biki to free the detainees ended in a tragic massacre. Hundreds were killed when soldiers opened fire on the protestors. The ripples of this event were felt far beyond Tanjung Priok, with bombings targeting banks and even the sacred Borobudur temple. Musholla Assa’adah remains, a sobering testament to the power of small actions and the importance of respecting religious sensitivities. It is a stark reminder of the fragility of peace and the enduring consequences of intolerance. The green-and-white prayer room stands not only as a place of worship, but as a living memorial to those who lost their lives in the Tanjung Priok tragedy.
Masjid As-Sa’adah
“A beacon of hope,” whispered an elderly man, gesturing towards Masjid As-Sa’adah. Masjid As-Sa’adah stands as a testament to the