Jakarta's mosques reflect its various cultures

For Muslims, a mosque, be it big or small, symbolises eternal tranquility.

It is also an important place for religious activities, as well as a cultural and information centre.

The development of mosques in Indonesia reflects the historical, social and even political conditions of the period in which the building was built.

Islam came to Indonesia through the Muslim traders from Gujarat, India, who disseminated the teachings actively through trading and intermarriage with local women.

In Java, for instance they disseminated their teachings through wayang kulit (shadow puppet) shows which had its origins in Hindu culture.

According to noted architect Achmad Noeman, who designed the Salman Mosque in Bandung, Indonesian mosques have adopted elements from various cultures. Early mosques blended Islam, Hindu and Chinese architectural styles.

The roofs, for example, varied from flat tiers to tiered domes to flat domes. The main gates were decorated richly with Chinese or Hindu architectural elements.

Architecture was also adjusted to the environment. In the 17th and 18th centuries, mosques in Jakarta were built beside rivers, areas which functioned as the city's business centres. They functioned as places of worship and for ulamas (leaders), traders and local people to meet.

Today, Jakarta has more than 1,000 mosques, the largest of which is the Istiqlal Great Mosque. It is also the largest in South-east Asia.

Other prominent mosques include the Cut Muthiah Mosque in Central Jakarta, and the Al-Azhar Mosque in South Jakarta.

A mosque's importance to a local community is reflected in daily life.

Jakarta has hundreds of streets and alleys named Jalan Mesjid (Mosque Street) or Gang Mesjid (Mosque Alley). Similar names are found throughout the country.

Jakarta also has several old historical mosques. Only a few are included on the city's heritage list. Some old ones have been renovated by the city administration, but many others are facing demolition to make way for new projects.

The city administration has taken steps to preserve some old mosques which have witnessed the social, political and economic life of an earlier period.

Based on information from a historical book on Jakarta, Historical Sights Of Jakarta, the old mosques include:

The Luar Batang Mosque built in 1739 near Sunda Kelapa Harbour in North Jakarta.

This two-storey mosque blends traditional Javanese and Hindu architecture. The main gate is decorated with reliefs similar to carvings on Javanese Hindu temples.

It is one of the city's tourist attractions.

Tubagus Angke Mosque, now called Alanwar Mosque. Located in Jalan Pangeran Tubagus Angke in the downtown area, the mosque was built in 1761. The area was known originally as Kampoeng Bali (Balinese village) and was established in 1687.

The street is named after Prince Tubagus Angke, who came from the Banten Sultanate in West Java, and was the ruler of Jayakarta (old Jakarta) in the 16th century.

The mosque was built by a Chinese architect. It has been renovated several times, but its original structure remains unchanged. Its front steps, double winged door, carved fanlight and door frame, and the stone vase on top of the roof are typical Dutch elements.

The Annawir Mosque, located in Jalan Pekojan, West Jakarta, was commissioned by a Sayid (a descendant of Prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah). It was built by Abdullah bin Hussein Alaydrus in 1760. The name Annawir means "light".

Kebon Jeruk Mosque, in Jalan Hayam Wuruk in the downtown area, was a sacred place for the Chinese Muslims living in old Jakarta. Its architecture is a rich mixture of Indonesian, Arabic and Chinese elements.

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