Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta

This article is about the national mosque of Indonesia. For similar-named mosque in Sarajevo, see Istiqlal Mosque, Sarajevo.
Istiqlal Mosque
Masjid Istiqlal
مسجد الاستقلال

Istiqlal Mosque, largest mosque in Indonesia and South East Asia
Location in Indonesia
Basic information
Location Jakarta, Indonesia
Geographic coordinates 6°10′11″S 106°49′51″E / 6.169804°S 106.830921°E / -6.169804; 106.830921Coordinates: 6°10′11″S 106°49′51″E / 6.169804°S 106.830921°E / -6.169804; 106.830921
Affiliation Islam
Branch/tradition Sunni Islam
Ownership Indonesian State Secretary with Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Indonesian Republic
Leadership
  • Imam(s):
    Prof. Dr. Kyai Haji Nasaruddin Umar (Grand Imam)
    Drs. Al Hajj Syarifuddin Muhammad (Deputy Grand Imam)
    Al Hajj Hasanuddin Sinaga
  • Chairman:
    Muhammad Muzammil Basyuni
Website masjidistiqlal.or.id
Architectural description
Architect(s) Frederich Silaban
Architectural type Mosque
Architectural style International
General contractor Republic of Indonesia
Date established 1978 (renovated in 1999)
Construction cost Rp 7 billion (US$ 12 million)
Specifications
Capacity 200,000 jama'ah
Dome(s) 2
Dome dia. (outer) 45 m (148 ft)
Minaret(s) 1
Minaret height 96.66 metres or 317.1 feet high; 66.66 m or 218.7 ft marble coated structure, plus 30 m or 98 ft stainless steel pinnacle
Materials steel and concrete structure, marble tiles on floors, walls and domes, ceramics tiles, stainless steel ornaments and metalworks

Istiqlal Mosque, or Masjid Istiqlal, (Independence Mosque) in Jakarta, Indonesia is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia.[1] This national mosque of Indonesia was built to commemorate Indonesian independence and named "Istiqlal", an Arabic word for "independence". The mosque was opened to the public 22 February 1978. Within Jakarta, the mosque is positioned next to Merdeka Square and the Jakarta Cathedral.

History

Istiqlal mosque under construction. On the right side is the Jakarta Cathedral

After the Indonesian National Revolution 1945–1949, followed by the acknowledgement of Indonesian independence from The Netherlands in 1949, there was a growing idea to build a national mosque for the new republic, which had the largest Muslim population in the world.[2] The idea of constructing a grand Indonesian national mosque was launched by Wahid Hasyim, Indonesia's first minister for religions affairs,[3] and Anwar Cokroaminoto, later appointed as the chairman of the Masjid Istiqlal Foundation. The committee for the construction of the Istiqlal Mosque, led by Cokroaminoto, was founded in 1953. He proposed the idea of a national mosque to Indonesian President Sukarno, who welcomed the idea and later helped to supervise the mosque's construction. In 1954 the committee appointed Sukarno technical chief supervisor.[4]:106

Several locations were proposed; Mohammad Hatta, Indonesian vice president, suggested that the mosque should be built near residential areas on Thamrin avenue, on a plot where Hotel Indonesia stands today.[5] However, Sukarno insisted that a national mosque should be located near the most important square of the nation, near the Merdeka Palace. This is in accordance with the Javanese tradition that the kraton (king's palace) and masjid agung (grand mosque) should be located around the alun-alun (main Javanese city square), which means it must be near Merdeka Square.[6] Sukarno also insisted that the national mosque should be built near Jakarta Cathedral and Immanuel Church, to symbolize religious harmony and tolerance as promoted in Pancasila (the Indonesian national philosophy and the five principles which constitute the philosophical foundation of Indonesian nationhood).[7] It was later decided that the national mosque was going to be built in Wilhelmina park, in front of the Jakarta Cathedral. To make way for the mosque, the Citadel Prins Frederick, built in 1837, was demolished.[8][9]

Sukarno actively followed the planning and construction of the mosque, including acting as the chairman of the jury for the mosque design competition held in 1955. The design submitted by Frederich Silaban, a Christian architect from North Sumatra, with the theme "Ketuhanan" (English: "Divinity") was chosen as the winner. The foundation stone was laid by Sukarno on 24 August 1961;[10][11] the construction took 17 years. President Suharto inaugurated it as the national mosque on 22 February 1978.[10][12] As of 2013 it is the largest mosque in the region of Southeast Asia, with a capacity of over 120,000.[13][14]:65

In display of religious tolerance, during large Christian celebrations such as Christmas, Istiqlal Mosque helped provide parking space for worshipers of the nearby Jakarta Cathedral.[15]

Structure

Istiqlal Mosque viewed from courtyard
The interior of Istiqlal mosque; the grand domed prayer hall supported by 12 columns
The ablution room of the mosque
Prayer on Eid ul-Fitr

The mosque has seven entrances, and all seven gates are named after Al-Asmaul-Husna, the names of God in Islam.[16] The number seven represents the Seven Heavens in Islamic cosmology.[17] The wudu (ablution) fountains are on the ground floor, while the main prayer hall and main courtyard are on the first floor. The building consists of two connected rectangular structures: the main structure and the smaller secondary structure. The smaller one serves as main gate as well as stairs and prayer spaces. The rectangular main prayer hall building is covered by a 45-meter diameter central spherical dome; the number "45" symbolizes the 1945 Proclamation of Indonesian Independence.[10][18] The main dome is adorned with a stainless steel ornamental pinnacle in the form of a crescent and star, the symbol of Islam. The smaller secondary dome is also adorned with a stainless steel pinnacle with the name of Allah (God) in Islamic calligraphy.

The dome is supported by twelve round columns, and the prayer hall is surrounded by rectangular piers carrying four levels of balconies. Twelve columns represent the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad in 12th Rabi' al-awwal.[19] The main floor and the four levels of balconies make five floors in all; the number "5" represents the Five Pillars of Islam and also Pancasila, [20] Staircases at the corners of the building give access to all floors. The main hall is reached through an entrance covered by a dome 8 meters in diameter; the number 8 symbolizes August, the month of Indonesian Independence. The interior design is minimalist, simple and clean-cut, with a minimum of stainless steel geometric ornaments. The 12 columns are covered with stainless steel. On the main wall on qibla there is a mihrab and minbar in the center. On the main wall, there is a large metalwork in Arabic calligraphy, spelling the name of Allah on the right side and Muhammad on the left side, and also calligraphy of Surah Thaha 14th verse in the center. The metalworks, stainless steel covers and ornaments were imported from Germany. Originally, as in the National Monument nearby, the white marbles were planned to be imported from Italy. However to cut costs and support the local marble industry, it was later decided that the marbles would be from Tulungagung marble quarries in East Java instead.[21]

The mihrab and minbar in main hall
Istiqlal tower with the Monas monument in the background
The fountain with the Monas monument in the background

The main structure is directly connected to the arcades that are spread around the large courtyard. The arcades connect the main building with a single minaret in the southern corner. Unlike many Arabic, Persian, Turkish and Indian mosques with multiple minarets, Istiqlal mosque has a single minaret to symbolize the divine oneness of God. It is 66.66 metres tall to symbolize 6,666 verses, the traditional perception of the numbers of verses in the Quran.[22] The 30-metre-high stainless steel pinnacle on top of the minaret symbolizes the 30 juz' of the Quran.[23] On the southern side near the minaret there is also a large bedug (large wooden drum made of cow skin).[24] In common with the entire Islamic world, traditionally Muslims in Indonesia use the drum with the adhan (call to prayer). The mosque offices, function hall, and madrasah are on the ground floor. The mosque provides facilities for social and cultural activities.

In the southwestern corner of the garden surrounding the mosque, there is a large pool and a grand fountain that spouts water 45 meters high. The fountain only operates on Fridays during congregational salat and during Islamic holidays such as Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha. The river Ciliwung flows across the mosque complex along the eastern side of the mosque.[25]

Some Muslims in Indonesia said Istiqlal's dome and minaret structure was much modern and Arabic in style. They regarded the architecture as being out of harmony with Islamic culture and architecture in Indonesia. In response, former president Suharto began an initiative to construct more mosques of the Javanese triple-roofed design.[26]

Visitors

US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama with Grand Imam Kyai al-Hajj Ali Musthafa Ya'qub at the Istiqlal Mosque, Nov. 10, 2010

Following US President Barack Obama and his wife's visit to the Istiqal Mosque in November 2010, about 20 visitors per day have come to tour the mosque.[27] Among foreign dignitaries who have visited Istiqlal mosque are former US president Bill Clinton;[28] President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad;[29] former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi; Prince Charles of United Kingdom; Li Yuanchao, Vice President of the Communist Party of China; President of Chile Sebastián Piñera; Heinz Fischer, the President of Austria; Jens Stoltenberg, the Prime Minister of Norway,[30] and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2012.[31]

Imams

Istiqlal Mosque has one Grand Imam, one Deputy Grand Imam, and seven imams. As of 2016 the Grand Imam is former Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs (2011–2014), Nasaruddin Umar and the Chairman of Istiqlal Mosque is the former Indonesian Ambassador to Syria (2006–2010), Muhammad Muzammil Basyuni.[32] Previous Grand Imams include Zaini Miftah (1970–1980), Mukhtar Nasir (1980–2004), Nasrullah Djamaluddin (2004–2005) and Ali Mustafa Yaqub (2005–2015). The current Deputy Grand Imam is Al Hajj Syarifuddin Muhammad, former chairman of the Indonesian Hafiz Assosication.

There are seven other imams who lead daily prayers at the mosque:

See also

References

  1. ↑ Perlez, Jane (2002-08-23). "Jakarta Journal; A TV Preacher to Satisfy the Taste for Islam Lite". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-12-17.
  2. ↑ Djamil, Agus S; Begawan, Bandar Seri (2011-08-21). "Indonesia: Archipelago of thousands of mosques". The Brunei Times. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  3. ↑ National Information and Communication Agency 2001, p. 6
  4. ↑ Travel Jakarta, Indonesia: illustrated guide, phrasebook and maps. MobileReference. 2010. ISBN 9781607789628. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  5. ↑ http://www.kempinski.com/en/jakarta/hotel-indonesia/welcome/ Hotel Indonesia
  6. ↑ "Sejarah Masjid Istiqlal". Archived from the original on August 1, 2013.
  7. ↑ Indonesia-Pancasila "Indonesia Table of Contents" Check |url= value (help). U.S. Department of the Army. Retrieved 2013-05-18.
  8. ↑ Teeuwen, Dirk. D (2011). "Batavia’s Wilhelmina park" (PDF). Dirk D. Teeuwen. Retrieved 2013-05-14.
  9. ↑ "Citadel Prins Frederick". Special Capital Region of Jakarta. 2010. Retrieved 2013-05-14.
  10. 1 2 3 Purba, Kornelius (2010-11-10). "Istiqlal: The work of a Christian architect". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  11. ↑ Dept of Foreign Affairs (1962), Indonesia 1962, Jakarta, No ISBN
  12. ↑ Indonesian State Secretariat (1995), 40 Tahun Indonesia Merdeka, Jilid 3 (40 Years of Indonesian Independence, Volume 3), p1035, ISBN 979-8300-06-8
  13. ↑ "President performs Idul Fitri prayers at Istiqlal Mosque". Antara News. 2010-09-10. Retrieved 2013-05-14.
  14. ↑ Phillips, Douglas A. (2005). Southeast Asia. Infobase Publishing. ISBN 9781438104614. Retrieved 2013-05-14.
  15. ↑ "Jemaat Misa Natal Gereja Katedral Bisa Parkir Kendaraan di Halaman Masjid Istiqlal". Kompas. December 24, 2014.
  16. ↑ "Al-Asma-ul-Husna (The beautiful names of God)". asmaulhusna.com. Retrieved 2013-05-18.
  17. ↑ "Surat Nūĥ". Sahih International. Retrieved 2013-05-18.
  18. ↑ "Snapshots from Indonesian History". sukarnoyears.com. Retrieved 2013-05-18.
  19. ↑ "The significance of the 12th of Rabi al-Awwal". Minhaj-ul-Quran. 2010-02-18. Retrieved 2013-05-18.
  20. ↑ "The Philosophical Basis of Human Rights in Indonesia". Embassy of Republic of Indonesia, in London, United Kingdom. Retrieved 2013-05-18.
  21. ↑ Aquino, Michael. "Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia". About.com. Retrieved 2013-05-14.
  22. ↑ "Muhammad as a normal man (570-610)". Islamicity.com. 18 May 2005 May 18. Retrieved 2013-05-18. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ↑ "Obama Terima Oleh-oleh Buku Islam di Amerika". Viva news. 2010-11-10. Retrieved 2013-05-15.
  24. ↑ Ayuningtyas, Rita (2008-09-14). "Rezeki Bedug Kala Ramadan". Kompas. Retrieved 2013-05-15.
  25. ↑ "Ciliwung River Restoration will begin in June". CitraIndonesia. 2013-02-23. Retrieved 2013-05-15.
  26. ↑ Crossette, Barbara (1987-07-05). "A Neighborhood Tour of Jakarta". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-12-17.
  27. ↑ "More tourists visit Istiqlal after Obama visit". The Jakarta Post. 2011-08-04. Retrieved 2013-05-18.
  28. ↑ "The President's News Conference in Jakarta". American Presidency Project State of the Union Data. 15 November 1994. Retrieved 2013-05-18.
  29. ↑ http://deleteisrael.pun.bz/ahmadinejad-di-mata-seorang-wartawan-ind.xhtml Amidinejad visits Masjid Istiqlal
  30. ↑ "Pesona Masjid Istiqlal di Mata Turis". Tempo.co. 2011-08-03. Retrieved 2013-05-18.
  31. ↑ "German Chancellor visits Istiqlal Mosque". Antara News. 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2013-05-18.
  32. ↑ "New Board of Executives of Masjid Istiqial for 2015 - 2020". Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. 2016-01-22. Retrieved 2016-03-14.

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