“Ever wondered how a community’s devotion can literally move mountains or at least move a mosque?” That is the story of Taman Makam Nurul Huda. This seemingly quiet cemetery holds a tale of faith and resilience. It echoes the story of Masjid Nurul Huda.
Initially, the Masjid Nurul Huda stood by a railway line. It occupied a modest 24 square meters. The construction of a double-track railway forced a relocation. The community rallied. They purchased 110 square meters of land. The cost was around 600 million. A generous donor from Menteng helped. The old chief of Menteng also helped. He now serves as the sub-district secretary.
Ustadz Ahmad Aseni is a board member of the Masjid Nurul Huda. He explained how the community rebuilt the mosque thanks to donors. Now, the Masjid Nurul Huda stands strong. It is a two-story building. There are plans to build a waste disposal site next to the mosque. It will cover 40 square meters.
Bayu Meghantara is the Mayor of Central Jakarta. He inaugurated the Masjid Nurul Huda. He expressed the local government’s support for the new mosque. He urged administrators to care for and maintain it. He also suggested positive activities for the community. These include recitations and social events.
There is also a Taman Pendidikan Al-Quran Nurul Huda. The mayor also inaugurated it. The inauguration included unveiling and signing a plaque.
The Nurul Huda Mosque in Sawahlunto, West Sumatra shares the same name. It is one of Indonesia’s oldest mosques. Built during the Dutch era, it features a rectangular design. It includes a tower blended into the main structure. It serves as a place of worship and religious education.
The Nurul Huda Mosque may have been built around 1921. This is the time when nearby shophouses were constructed. The mosque initially resembled a church. Locals added a dome later. This is to make it look more like a mosque. The Mihrab faces the Qibla direction. This confirms it was never a church.
The Nurul Huda Mosque has been renovated once. It originally measured 6 x 6 meters. In the 1980s, it expanded to 12 x 20 meters. The renovation preserved the original design. The walls and towers remained. The bedug is a relic from the Dutch era. However, it is no longer functional.
Back here at Taman Makam Nurul Huda, we see more than just a final resting place. We see a testament to community spirit. We see faith in action. The story of Masjid Nurul Huda reminds us that even obstacles can lead to growth. A small mosque moved and rebuilt. It shows the power of collective effort.