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'''Istiqlal Mosque''', or '''Masjid Istiqlal''', (Independence Mosque) in [[Jakarta]], [[Indonesia]] is the largest [[mosque]] in [[Southeast Asia]]<ref>{{cite news | first = Jane | last = Perlez | title = Jakarta Journal; A TV Preacher to Satisfy the Taste for Islam Lite | url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C03E4DB143CF930A1575BC0A9649C8B63 | publisher = [[The New York Times]] | date = 2002-08-23 | accessdate = 2007-12-17}}</ref> and has the highest capacity. 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]].
'''Istiqlal Mosque''', or '''Masjid Istiqlal''', (Independence Mosque) in [[Jakarta]], [[Indonesia]] is the largest [[mosque]] in [[Southeast Asia]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Jakarta Journal; A TV Preacher to Satisfy the Taste for Islam Lite|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C03E4DB143CF930A1575BC0A9649C8B63|first=Jane|last=Perlez|publisher=[[The New York Times]]|date=2002 August 23|accessdate=2007 December 17}}</ref> and has the highest capacity. 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==
==History==
[[Image:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM De Istiqlal moskee in aanbouw en de kathedraal TMnr 20025717.jpg|thumb|left|Istiqlal mosque under construction. On the right side is the [[Jakarta Cathedral]]]]
[[Image:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM De Istiqlal moskee in aanbouw en de kathedraal TMnr 20025717.jpg|thumb|left|Istiqlal mosque under construction. On the right side is the [[Jakarta Cathedral]]]]
After the [[Indonesian National Revolution]] 1945–1949, followed by the acknowledgement of the [[Proclamation of Indonesian Independence|independence Indonesia]] from [[Netherlands|The Netherlands]] in 1949, there was a growing idea to build a national mosque for the new republic, which had the largest [[Islam|Muslim]] population in the world.<ref>http://www.bt.com.bn/travel/2011/08/21/indonesia-archipelago-thousands-mosques Indonesia's National Mosque</ref> The idea of constructing a grand Indonesian national mosque was launched by [[Wahid Hasyim]], Indonesia's first minister for religions affairs,<ref>National Information and Communication Agency 2001, p. 6</ref> 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 construction of the mosque. In 1954 the committee appointed Sukarno technical chief supervisor.<ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=PJ1bJG_9CL4C&pg=PT106&lpg=PT106&dq=masjid+istiqlal+foundation&source=bl&ots=cHCN3MJ2xM&sig=AEBY7WbjLQGrxyOzJOVSN8uXmgo&hl=en&sa=X&ei=vj9zUbevMZL68QTRxoCIBg&ved=0CHYQ6AEwDA Masjid Istiqlal Foundation</ref>
After the [[Indonesian National Revolution]] 1945–1949, followed by the acknowledgement of the [[Proclamation of Indonesian Independence|independence Indonesia]] from [[Netherlands|The Netherlands]] in 1949, there was a growing idea to build a national mosque for the new republic, which had the largest [[Islam|Muslim]] population in the world.<ref>{{cite news|title=Indonesia: Archipelago of thousands of mosques|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/travel/2011/08/21/indonesia-archipelago-thousands-mosques|work=The Brunei Times|last1=Djamil|first1=Agus S|last2=Begawan|first2=Bandar Seri|date=2011 August 21|accessdate=2013 May 13}}</ref> The idea of constructing a grand Indonesian national mosque was launched by [[Wahid Hasyim]], Indonesia's first minister for religions affairs,<ref>National Information and Communication Agency 2001, p. 6</ref> 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 construction of the mosque. In 1954 the committee appointed Sukarno technical chief supervisor.<ref name="Masjid-Istiqlal-Foundation">{{cite book|title=Travel Jakarta, Indonesia: illustrated guide, phrasebook and maps|url=http://books.google.ae/books?id=PJ1bJG_9CL4C&pg=PT106&lpg=PT106&#v=onepage&q&f=false|publisher=MobileReference|year=2010|isbn=9781607789628|accessdate=2013 May 13}}</ref>{{rp|106}}


Several locations were proposed; [[Mohammad Hatta]], Indonesian vice president, suggested that the mosque should be built near residential areas on Thamrin avenue, on plot where today stands [[Hotel Indonesia]].<ref>http://www.kempinski.com/en/jakarta/hotel-indonesia/welcome/ Hotel Indonesia</ref> 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 to traditional Javanese culture that ''[[Kraton (Indonesia)|kraton]]'' (king's palace) and ''masjid agung'' (grand mosque) should be located around ''[[alun-alun]]'' (main Javanese city square), which means it must be near [[Merdeka Square, Jakarta|Merdeka square]].<ref>[http://masjidistiqlal.or.id/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=91&Itemid=39&lang=id Sejarah Masjid Istiqlal]</ref> 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, Indonesian national philosophy.<ref>http://countrystudies.us/indonesia/86.htm Indonesia-Pancasila</ref> It was later decided that the national mosque was going to be built in Wilhelmina park, in front of the Jakarta Cathedral.<ref>http://jakartabatavia-historicalsites.nl/medanmerdeka.html/medanmarticles/citadel-batavia[1].pdf Transformation of Wilhelmina Park</ref> To make way for the mosque, the Citadel Prins Frederick built in 1837 was demolished.<ref>[http://www.jakarta.go.id/jakv1/encyclopedia/detail/291 Citadel Prins Frederick ]</ref>
Several locations were proposed; [[Mohammad Hatta]], Indonesian vice president, suggested that the mosque should be built near residential areas on Thamrin avenue, on plot where today stands [[Hotel Indonesia]].<ref>http://www.kempinski.com/en/jakarta/hotel-indonesia/welcome/ Hotel Indonesia</ref> 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 to traditional Javanese culture that ''[[Kraton (Indonesia)|kraton]]'' (king's palace) and ''masjid agung'' (grand mosque) should be located around ''[[alun-alun]]'' (main Javanese city square), which means it must be near [[Merdeka Square, Jakarta|Merdeka square]].<ref>{{cite web|title=|url=http://masjidistiqlal.or.id/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=91&Itemid=39&lang=id Sejarah Masjid Istiqlal]</ref>{{deadlink|May 2013}} 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, Indonesian national philosophy.<ref>http://countrystudies.us/indonesia/86.htm Indonesia-Pancasila</ref> It was later decided that the national mosque was going to be built in Wilhelmina park, in front of the Jakarta Cathedral.<ref>http://jakartabatavia-historicalsites.nl/medanmerdeka.html/medanmarticles/citadel-batavia[1].pdf Transformation of Wilhelmina Park</ref> To make way for the mosque, the Citadel Prins Frederick built in 1837 was demolished.<ref>[http://www.jakarta.go.id/jakv1/encyclopedia/detail/291 Citadel Prins Frederick ]</ref>


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, with the theme: "Ketuhanan" (Indonesian: Divinity) was chosen as the winner. The foundation stone was laid by Sukarno on 24 August 1961;<ref>Dept of Foreign Affairs (1962), ''Indonesia 1962'', Jakarta, No ISBN</ref> the construction took 17 years. Indonesian president [[Suharto]] inaugurated the Indonesian national mosque on 22 February 1978.<ref>Indonesian State Secretariat (1995), ''40 Tahun Indonesia Merdeka, Jilid 3'' (''40 Years of Indonesian Independence, Volume 3''), p1035, ISBN 979-8300-06-8</ref> {{As of|2013}} it was still the largest mosque in the region, with a capacity of over 120,000.<ref>http://www.wellknownplaces.com/istiqlal-mosque-the-largest-mosque-in-southeast-asia.html Largest Mosque in Southeast Asia</ref>
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, with the theme: "Ketuhanan" (Indonesian: Divinity) was chosen as the winner. The foundation stone was laid by Sukarno on 24 August 1961;<ref>Dept of Foreign Affairs (1962), ''Indonesia 1962'', Jakarta, No ISBN</ref> the construction took 17 years. Indonesian president [[Suharto]] inaugurated the Indonesian national mosque on 22 February 1978.<ref>Indonesian State Secretariat (1995), ''40 Tahun Indonesia Merdeka, Jilid 3'' (''40 Years of Indonesian Independence, Volume 3''), p1035, ISBN 979-8300-06-8</ref> {{As of|2013}} it was still the largest mosque in the region, with a capacity of over 120,000.<ref>http://www.wellknownplaces.com/istiqlal-mosque-the-largest-mosque-in-southeast-asia.html Largest Mosque in Southeast Asia</ref>

Revision as of 08:44, 13 May 2013

Masjid Istiqlal
File:Istiqlal Mosque Monas.jpg
Istiqlal Mosque, largest mosque in Indonesia and South East Asia
Religion
OwnershipIndonesian State Secretary with Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Indonesian Republic
Location
LocationJakarta, Indonesia
Architecture
Architect(s)Frederich Silaban
StyleInternational
General contractorRepublic of Indonesia
Construction costRp 7 billion (US$ 12 million)
Specifications
Capacity120,000 jama'ah
Dome(s)2
Dome dia. (outer)45 metres
Minaret(s)1
Minaret height96.66 metres high; 66.66 metres marble coated structure, plus 30 metres stainless steel pinnacle
Materialsmarble, stainless steel
Website
masjidistiqlal.or.id

Istiqlal Mosque, or Masjid Istiqlal, (Independence Mosque) in Jakarta, Indonesia is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia[1] and has the highest capacity. 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 the independence Indonesia 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 construction of the mosque. 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 plot where today stands Hotel Indonesia.[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 to traditional Javanese culture that kraton (king's palace) and masjid agung (grand mosque) should be located around alun-alun (main Javanese city square), which means it must be near Merdeka square.[6][dead link] 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, Indonesian national philosophy.[7] It was later decided that the national mosque was going to be built in Wilhelmina park, in front of the Jakarta Cathedral.[8] To make way for the mosque, the Citadel Prins Frederick built in 1837 was demolished.[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, with the theme: "Ketuhanan" (Indonesian: Divinity) was chosen as the winner. The foundation stone was laid by Sukarno on 24 August 1961;[10] the construction took 17 years. Indonesian president Suharto inaugurated the Indonesian national mosque on 22 February 1978.[11] As of 2013 it was still the largest mosque in the region, with a capacity of over 120,000.[12]

Structure

Istiqlal Mosque viewed from courtyard
File:Istiqlal Interior.jpg
The interior of Istiqlal mosque; the grand domed prayer hall supported by 12 columns
File:Istiqlal Mosque Wudhu (Ablution).JPG
The ablution room of the mosque
File:Istiqlal Mosque Eid ul Fitr Jamaah 4.JPG
Prayer on Eid ul-Fitr

There are seven gates to enter the mosque, each named after Al-Asmaul-Husna, the names of God in Islam.[13] The number seven represent Seven Heavens in Islamic cosmology.(71:15-16) 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" symbolize the year of Proclamation of Indonesian Independence in 1945.[14] 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 Arabic calligraphy.

The dome is supported by twelve round columns, and the prayer hall is surrounded by rectangular piers carrying four levels of balcony. Twelve columns represent the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad in 12th Rabi' al-awwal.[15] The main floor and the four levels of balcony make five floors in all; the number "5" represents the Five Pillars of Islam and also Pancasila, the five principles which constitute the philosophical foundation of Indonesian nationhood.[16] 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 symbolize 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 cost and to support the local marble industry, it was later decided that the marbles would be from Tulungagung marble quarries in East Java instead.[17]

File:Istiqlal Mosque Minbar.jpg
The mihrab and minbar in main hall
File:Istiqlal mosque.JPG
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 which run 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 Islamic 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.[18] The 30-metre high stainless steel pinnacle on top of the minaret symbolizes the 30 juz' of the Quran.[19] On the southern side near the minaret there is also a large bedug (large wooden drum made of cow skin),[20] unknown in the Middle East; 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 salah 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.[21]

Some Muslims in Indonesia said Istiqlal's dome and minaret structure was too modern and too 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.[22]

Visitors

File:Barack Obama and Michelle Obama at the Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta, Indonesia, Nov. 10, 2010.jpg
Barack and Michelle Obama with Grand Imam Kyai al-Hajj Ali Musthafa Ya'qub at the Istiqlal Mosque, Nov. 10, 2010.

Following President Barack Obama and his wife's visit to the Istiqal Mosque in November 2010, about 20 foreign visitors have come to visit and tour the mosque.[23] Among foreign dignitaries who have visited Istiqlal mosque are former US president Bill Clinton,[24] President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,[25] 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,[26] and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2012.[27]

Imams

There is one Grand Imam, one deputy of the Grand Imam, and seven imams in Istiqlal Mosque. As of 2013 the Grand Imam was Kyai al-Hajj Ali Musthafa Ya'qub, chairman of Darus Sunnah Hadis Research Institute in Ciputat, South Jakarta.[28] His deputy was al-Hajj Syarifuddin Muhammad.

See also

References

  1. ^ Perlez, Jane (2002 August 23). "Jakarta Journal; A TV Preacher to Satisfy the Taste for Islam Lite". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007 December 17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  2. ^ Djamil, Agus S; Begawan, Bandar Seri (2011 August 21). "Indonesia: Archipelago of thousands of mosques". The Brunei Times. Retrieved 2013 May 13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  3. ^ National Information and Communication Agency 2001, p. 6
  4. ^ Travel Jakarta, Indonesia: illustrated guide, phrasebook and maps. MobileReference. 2010. ISBN 9781607789628. Retrieved 2013 May 13. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  5. ^ http://www.kempinski.com/en/jakarta/hotel-indonesia/welcome/ Hotel Indonesia
  6. ^ {{cite web|title=|url=http://masjidistiqlal.or.id/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=91&Itemid=39&lang=id Sejarah Masjid Istiqlal]
  7. ^ http://countrystudies.us/indonesia/86.htm Indonesia-Pancasila
  8. ^ http://jakartabatavia-historicalsites.nl/medanmerdeka.html/medanmarticles/citadel-batavia[1].pdf Transformation of Wilhelmina Park
  9. ^ Citadel Prins Frederick
  10. ^ Dept of Foreign Affairs (1962), Indonesia 1962, Jakarta, No ISBN
  11. ^ Indonesian State Secretariat (1995), 40 Tahun Indonesia Merdeka, Jilid 3 (40 Years of Indonesian Independence, Volume 3), p1035, ISBN 979-8300-06-8
  12. ^ http://www.wellknownplaces.com/istiqlal-mosque-the-largest-mosque-in-southeast-asia.html Largest Mosque in Southeast Asia
  13. ^ http://www.asmaulhusna.com Al-Asma-ul-Husna
  14. ^ http://www.sukarnoyears.com/150proklamasi.htm Significance of "45"
  15. ^ http://www.minhaj.org/english/tid/9813/The-significance-of-the-12th-of-Rabi-al-Awwal.html 12 Rabi' al-awwal
  16. ^ http://www.indonesianembassy.org.uk/human_right-2.htm 5 Values of Pancasila
  17. ^ http://goseasia.about.com/od/indonesiastopattractions/a/Istiqlal-Mosque-In-Jakarta-Indonesia.htm Masjid Istiqlal's Marble
  18. ^ http://www.islamicity.com/forum/printer_friendly_posts.asp?TID=9310 Verses of the Quran
  19. ^ Obama visit to Istiqlal (in Indonesian)
  20. ^ http://nasional.kompas.com/read/2008/09/14/16213749/rezeki.bedug.kala.ramadan Bedug
  21. ^ http://citraindonesia.com/restorasi-sungai-ciliwung-akan-dimulai-juni/?lang=en Ciliwung River-Istiqlal Mosque
  22. ^ Crossette, Barbara (1987-07-05). "A Neighborhood Tour of Jakarta". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-12-17.
  23. ^ http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/08/04/more-tourists-visit-istiqlal-after-obama-visit.html
  24. ^ http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=49491 President Clinton's news conference in Jakarta
  25. ^ http://deleteisrael.pun.bz/ahmadinejad-di-mata-seorang-wartawan-ind.xhtml Amidinejad visits Masjid Istiqlal
  26. ^ Tempo Interaktif
  27. ^ German Chancellor visits Istiqlal Mosque
  28. ^ http://www.npr.org/2011/02/20/133876432/indonesia-and-obamas-personal-path-to-democracy Grand Imam Yaqub
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