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Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta

Coordinates: 6°10′11.29″S 106°49′51.32″E / 6.1698028°S 106.8309222°E / -6.1698028; 106.8309222
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This article is about the national mosque of Indonesia. For the similarly-named mosque in Sarajevo, see Istiklal Mosque, Sarajevo.
Istiqlal Mosque
Masjid Istiqlal
Religion
AffiliationIslam
Branch/traditionSunni
Leadership
Location
LocationJakarta, Indonesia
Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta is located in Jakarta
Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta
Location in Jakarta and Indonesia
Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta is located in Java
Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta
Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta (Java)
Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta is located in Indonesia
Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta
Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta (Indonesia)
Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta is located in Asia
Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta
Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta (Asia)
AdministrationIstiqlal Mosque Management Executive Board[a]
Geographic coordinates6°10′11.29″S 106°49′51.32″E / 6.1698028°S 106.8309222°E / -6.1698028; 106.8309222
Architecture
Architect(s)Friedrich Silaban
TypeCongregational mosque
Style
General contractorIndonesia Indonesia
Date established1978 (renovated in 2019–2020)[2]
Construction costRp 7 billion (US$ 12 million)
Specifications
Capacity200,000 people
Dome(s)2
Dome dia. (outer)45 m (148 ft)
Minaret(s)1
Minaret height96.66 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
MaterialsSteel and concrete structure, marble tiles on floors, walls and domes, ceramics tiles, stainless steel ornaments and metalworks
Website
eng.istiqlal.or.id

Istiqlal Mosque (Indonesian: Masjid Istiqlal, lit. 'Independence Mosque'; Arabic: مَسْجِد ٱلْإِسْتِقْلَال, romanized: Masjid al-Istiqlāl, lit. 'Mosque of the Independence') in Jakarta, Indonesia is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia and the ninth largest mosque in the world in terms of worshipper capacity.[3] Built to commemorate Indonesian independence, this national mosque of Indonesia was named "Istiqlal", an Arabic word for "independence". The mosque was opened to the public on 22 February 1978. Within Jakarta, the mosque is positioned next to Merdeka Square, the Jakarta Cathedral (Catholic), and also of the Immanuel Church (Reformed).

History

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See also: Islam in Indonesia
The Wilhelminapark and the Citadel Prins Frederik in 1946

The mosque was formerly the location of Wilhelmina Park and a 19th-century fortification called Citadel.[4]

Design and competition

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After the proclamation of Indonesian independence in 1945, the idea of constructing a grand Indonesian national mosque was raised by Wahid Hasyim, Indonesia's first minister for religious affairs,[5] 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 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 as technical chief supervisor.[6]: 106  The architect of the Istiqlal Mosque was Friedrich Silaban, the winner of a design competition.[7] He is the son of a Lutheran pastor from the Batak Protestant Christian Church.[8]

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.[9] 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.[10] 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.[11] It was later decided that the national mosque was going to be built in Taman Widjaja Kusuma (formerly Wilhelmina park), in front of the Jakarta Cathedral. To make way for the mosque, the Citadel Prins Frederick, built in 1837, was demolished.[12][13]

Construction

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

The foundation stone was laid by Sukarno on 24 August 1961;[14] the construction took 17 years. President Suharto inaugurated it as the national mosque on 22 February 1978.[15][16] As of 2013, it is the largest mosque in the region of Southeast Asia, with a capacity of over 120,000.[17][18]: 65 

Contemporary events

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On Friday night, 14 April 1978, a bomb made of plastic explosive was set off near the mimbar in Istiqlal Mosque. There were no casualties reported.[19] More than 20 years later, on 19 April 1999, a second bomb attack took place in the basement of the mosque, breaking the glass of the office rooms.[20]

Between May 2019 to July 2020 the mosque underwent major renovation at a cost of US$35 million. Works included: polishing and cleaning the marble exterior and stainless steel geometric ornamentation, a new mihrab and mimbar, upgrading electrical and plumbing systems, new lighting system using LED lamps, renovation of VIP rooms, new gates and improvements of garden, park and plaza, new kiosk for vendors, and a two storied basement parking space.[21][2]

A tunnel connecting Istiqlal Mosque and St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral has been constructed by the Indonesian authorities. This tunnel, known as the "Terowongan Silaturahmi" (Tunnel of Friendship), was expected to be finished in April 2020 before Ramadan 2020.[22]

In September 2024 Pope Francis, on a visit to Indonesia, stated that the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta is concrete proof of the presence of religious moderation in Indonesia.[23]

Inscription of the Inauguration of the Istiqlal Mosque in 1978

Structure

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Istiqlal Mosque at night

The mosque has seven entrances, and all seven gates are named after Al-Asmaul-Husna, the names of God in Islam.[24] The number seven represents the Seven Heavens in Islamic cosmology.[25] 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 a main gate as well as stairs and prayer spaces.[citation needed]

Entrance gates

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There are seven entrance gates to the Istiqlal Mosque. Each door is named after one of the 99 Names of Allah. Below are lists of entrance gates into the complex of Istiqlal Mosque:[citation needed]

  • Main gates
    • Al Fattah/الفتاح ("The Opener"): Located opposite of the Jakarta Cathedral. This is the main entrance for visitors, which also leads to the main parking area.
    • Ar Rozzaq/ٱلْرَّزَّاقُ ("The Provider"): Located at Jalan Perwira. The door leads to the main parking area.
    • As Salam/ٱلْسَّلَامُ ("The Peace"): Entrance for important guests e.g. clerics or ambassadors. The entrance leads to the front rows near the imam.
  • Other gates
    • Al Quddus/ٱلْقُدُّوسُ ("The Holy"): Located on the northeast of the mosque complex.
    • Al Malik/الملك ("The King"): Located on the west of the mosque complex. Used for very important guests e.g. the president of Indonesia or other important guests.
    • Al Ghaffar/ٱلْغَفَّارُ ("The Forgiving"): Located on the south end of the courtyard hall building, just below the minaret of Istiqlal Mosque. This door is the closest to the southeast gate as well as the furthest from the mosque mihrab.
    • Ar Rahman/ٱلْرَّحْمَان ("The Compassion"): Located on the southwest corner of the mosque's hall building, near the entrance gate of Al Malik.

Dome

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The rectangular main prayer hall building is covered by a 45-m diameter central spherical dome; the number "45" symbolizes the 1945 Proclamation of Indonesian Independence.[15][26] 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.[citation needed]

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 (mostly accepted) birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad in 12th Rabi' al-awwal.[27]

Interior

[edit]
Interior

The main floor and the four levels of balconies make five floors in all; the number "5" represents the Five Pillars of Islam, within symbolizes the five daily prayers, and also of the Pancasila[28] 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.[29]

Minaret

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Minaret

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 m tall to symbolize (incorrectly[30][failed verification]) the 6,666 verses in the Quran.[31] The 30-metre-high stainless steel pinnacle on top of the minaret symbolizes the 30 juz' of the Quran.[32] On the southern side near the minaret there is also a large bedug (large wooden drum made of cow skin).[33] 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.

Some Muslims in Indonesia said Istiqlal's dome and minaret structure was much too 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.[34]

Facilities

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In a display of religious tolerance, during large Christian celebrations such as Christmas, Istiqlal Mosque helped provide parking space for worshippers of the nearby Jakarta Cathedral.[35]

Sound system and multimedia

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For the purpose of worship and information facilities, Istiqlal Mosque uses a centrally controlled sound system located on the rear glass room of the second floor, with the number of speakers as many as 200 channels spread on the main floor.

The number of speakers contained in the corridor, connecting building and preliminary building are 158 channels. The sound system is controlled by 26 amplifiers and 5 (five) mixers and is supervised by six people who take turns both day and night when in use.

To support the smooth communication at the time of worship and activity, on the main floor, there has also been installed a plasma TV system so that access information can be followed evenly by the pilgrims who are throughout the main room of the mosque and cannot directly see the preacher.[citation needed]

Garden

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The fountain with the Monas monument in the background

Istiqlal mosque is located on former Wilhelmina Park, thus prior of mosque construction, there are numbers of decorative plants and trees planted in the garden. Some of garden's old large trees might be hundred years old. The park is also the location of a river branch, the distributary of Ciliwung river, completed with floodgates. The original river branch went westward to Molenvliet and turned northward along canal towards its estuarine in old Batavia. The other branch turned northward to a floodgate which drain eastward along a canal in front of Pasar Baru, the canal turned north along Jalan Gunung Sahari, all the way to Ancol in the north.[citation needed]

In the southwestern corner of the garden surrounding the mosque, there is a large pool and a grand fountain that spouts water 45 m (148 ft) 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.[36]

Environmental initiatives

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Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar has led efforts to make the mosque more environmentally friendly, including installing solar panels, using slow-flow faucets, and implementing a water recycling system. The mosque's efforts have earned it recognition as the first green-certified place of worship by the World Bank.[37]

Leadership

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Istiqlal Mosque has one Grand Imam, one Deputy Grand Imam, and seven imams. As of 2016, the Grand Imam is the 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.[38]

Visitors

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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.[39] Among foreign dignitaries who have visited Istiqlal mosque are former US president Bill Clinton;[40] President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad;[41] former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi; Charles III of the United Kingdom; Li Yuanchao, former Vice President of China; President of Chile Sebastián Piñera; Heinz Fischer, the President of Austria; Jens Stoltenberg, the Prime Minister of Norway,[42] and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2012.[43] King Salman Of Saudi Arabia visited the mosque during his Indonesia tour in March 2017.[44]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Via Ministry of State Secretariat and Ministry of Religious Affairs

References

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  1. ^ "Menag mengukuhkan Ketua Badan Pelaksana Pengelola Masjid Istiqlal (BPPMI) periode 2016 -2020, Asep Saepudin" (in Indonesian). Ministry of Religious Affairs (Indonesia). Archived from the original on August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Istiqlal Mosque may reopen in July, Jokowi says while inspecting renovations". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  3. ^ Perlez, Jane (23 August 2002). "Jakarta Journal; A TV Preacher to Satisfy the Taste for Islam Lite". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 December 2007.
  4. ^ Teeuwen, Dirk (May 24, 2024). "Rendezvous Batavia Batavia's, Jakarta's Citadel Prins Frederik Dirk Teeuwen MSc" (PDF). www.indonesia-dutchcolonialheritage.nl/.
  5. ^ National Information and Communication Agency 2001, p. 6
  6. ^ Travel Jakarta, Indonesia: illustrated guide, phrasebook and maps. Mobile Reference. 2010. ISBN 978-1-6077-8962-8. Retrieved 2013-05-13.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ Sopandi, Setiadi (2009). "Indonesian Architectural Culture during Guided Democracy (1959–1965): Sukarno and the Works of Friedrich Silaban". In Vu, T.; Wongsurawat, W. (eds.). Dynamics of the Cold War in Asia: Ideology, Identity, and Culture. Springer. pp. 53–72. ISBN 978-0-2301-0199-9.
  8. ^ "Friedrich Silaban, sang arsitek Masjid Istiqlal yang berasal dari jemaat gereja Lutheran terkenal yakni Huria Kristen Batak Protestan". Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  9. ^ "Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta (official website)". Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  10. ^ "Masjid Istiqlal Merupakan Masjid Terbesar Dan Termegah Di Indonesia Yang Dibangun Pada Tahun" (in Indonesian). 30 September 2021. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021.
  11. ^ "Indonesia-Pancasila". U.S. Department of the Army. Retrieved 2013-05-18.
  12. ^ Dawuh, Guru (2021). "Masjid Istiqlal Merupakan Masjid Terbesar Dan Termegah Di Indonesia Yang Dibangun Pada Tahun". Dawuh Guru. Archived from the original on 2021-09-30. Retrieved 2021-10-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  13. ^ "Citadel Prins Frederick". Special Capital Region of Jakarta. 2010. Archived from the original on 2013-09-27. Retrieved 2013-05-14.
  14. ^ Dept of Foreign Affairs (1962), Indonesia 1962, Jakarta, No ISBN
  15. ^ a b Purba, Kornelius (2010-11-10). "Istiqlal: The work of a Christian architect". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  16. ^ Indonesian State Secretariat (1995), 40 Tahun Indonesia Merdeka, Jilid 3 (40 Years of Indonesian Independence, Volume 3), p1035, ISBN 979-8300-06-8
  17. ^ "President performs Idul Fitri prayers at Istiqlal Mosque". Antara News. 2010-09-10. Archived from the original on 2010-09-12. Retrieved 2024-06-06.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  18. ^ Phillips, Douglas A. (2005). Southeast Asia. Infobase Publishing. ISBN 9781438104614. Retrieved 2013-05-14.
  19. ^ Tempomedia (1978-04-22). "Bom di istiqlal". Tempo. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  20. ^ "Dalam Sejarah, Masjid Istiqlal Pernah Dua Kali Dibom". Republika Online (in Indonesian). 2019-04-13. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  21. ^ "Istiqlal Mosque remains popular amid ongoing renovation". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  22. ^ "Jokowi Bangun 'Terowongan Silaturahmi' Istiqlal-Katedral". nasional (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2020-02-07.
  23. ^ antaranews.com (2024-09-05). "Istiqlal Mosque is proof of religious moderation in Indonesia: Pope". Antara News. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  24. ^ "Al-Asma-ul-Husna (The beautiful names of God)". asmaulhusna.com. Retrieved 2013-05-18.
  25. ^ "Surat Nūĥ". Sahih International. Retrieved 2013-05-18. Quran Surah Nooh ( Verse 15 )
  26. ^ "Snapshots from Indonesian History". sukarnoyears.com. Archived from the original on 2014-01-05. Retrieved 2013-05-18.
  27. ^ The date of Muhammad's birth is a matter of contention since the exact date is unknown and is not definitively recorded in the Islamic traditions. See Mawlid#Date for details.
  28. ^ "The Philosophical Basis of Human Rights in Indonesia". Embassy of Republic of Indonesia, in London, United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 2013-05-18. Retrieved 2013-05-18.
  29. ^ Aquino, Michael. "Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia". About.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-29. Retrieved 2013-05-14.
  30. ^ The total number of verses in the Quran is actually 6,236; however, the number varies if the bismillahs are counted separately.
  31. ^ "Muhammad as a normal man (570-610)". Islamicity.com. 18 May 2005. Retrieved 2013-05-18.
  32. ^ "Obama Terima Oleh-oleh Buku Islam di Amerika". Viva news. 2010-11-10. Archived from the original on 2010-11-13. Retrieved 2013-05-15.
  33. ^ Ayuningtyas, Rita (2008-09-14). "Rezeki Bedug Kala Ramadan". Kompas. Retrieved 2013-05-15.
  34. ^ Crossette, Barbara (1987-07-05). "A Neighborhood Tour of Jakarta". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-12-17.
  35. ^ "Jemaat Misa Natal Gereja Katedral Bisa Parkir Kendaraan di Halaman Masjid Istiqlal". Kompas. December 24, 2014.
  36. ^ "Ciliwung River Restoration will begin in June". CitraIndonesia. 2013-02-23. Archived from the original on 2016-01-09. Retrieved 2013-05-15.
  37. ^ Wee, Sui-Lee; Ifansasti, Ulet (2024-04-17). "What Can 'Green Islam' Achieve in the World's Largest Muslim Country?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  38. ^ "New Board of Executives of Masjid Istiqial for 2015 - 2020". Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. 2016-01-22. Archived from the original on 2016-03-01. Retrieved 2016-03-14.
  39. ^ "More tourists visit Istiqlal after Obama visit". The Jakarta Post. 2011-08-04. Retrieved 2013-05-18.
  40. ^ "The President's News Conference in Jakarta". American Presidency Project State of the Union Data. 15 November 1994. Archived from the original on 2017-03-17. Retrieved 2013-05-18.
  41. ^ http://deleteisrael.pun.bz/ahmadinejad-di-mata-seorang-wartawan-ind.xhtml Archived 2013-05-18 at the Wayback Machine Amidinejad visits Masjid Istiqlal
  42. ^ "Pesona Masjid Istiqlal di Mata Turis". Tempo.co. 2011-08-03. Archived from the original on 2013-09-28. Retrieved 2013-05-18.
  43. ^ "German Chancellor visits Istiqlal Mosque". Antara News. 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2013-05-18.
  44. ^ "Jokowi, King Salman pray at Istiqlal Mosque".
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