Musholla Asyaadah

Syaiful Hadi stood before Musholla Asyaadah, a simple yet significant structure. It stands as a testament to a turbulent chapter in Jakarta’s history. Musholla Asyaadah, nestled in the heart of Tanjung Priok, was the unsuspecting epicenter of the tragic 1984 riots. The unassuming green walls of Musholla Asyaadah hold within them a story of escalating tensions. It began with a seemingly minor incident. A Babinsa, Sergeant Hermanu, entered the Musholla Asyaadah without removing his shoes. He tore down a pamphlet he deemed offensive to the government. He even desecrated the space with sewage water. This act, though small, ignited a firestorm of resentment in the community. Word spread quickly among the worshippers at Musholla Asyaadah. Two days later, heated arguments erupted between residents, the Babinsa, and community leaders at the nearby Baitul Makmur Mosque. The situation spiraled out of control when someone set the Babinsa’s motorcycle ablaze. The authorities responded by arresting several key figures in the community. This fueled public anger further. On September 12th, a crowd marched towards the Kodim, demanding the release of their leaders. They were met by armed soldiers near the North Jakarta Police Headquarters. The confrontation turned violent, leading to a tragic loss of life. The exact number of casualties remains unclear. The official reports conflict with accounts from organizations like Sontak, which claim a much higher death toll. The incident at Musholla Asyaadah served as a catalyst. It exposed deeper societal tensions that had been simmering beneath the surface. Syaiful, a witness and survivor, pointed to Musholla Asyaadah. He emphasized that while the Babinsa’s actions were the spark, a complex history of grievances lay behind the unrest. The Musholla Asyaadah remains. It stands as a sobering reminder of the Tanjung Priok tragedy. It’s a place where a small act of disrespect escalated into a devastating event. It changed the course of Jakarta’s history.