go-explore
Car Rental

A symbol of Religious Tolerance, Jakarta’s Inspiring Istiqlal Mosque

 

First opened to the public by Indonesia’s first President, Soekarno, on 22 February 1978, the grand Istiqlal Mosque of Jakarta is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia both in structure and capacity, as it can accommodate congregations of up to 120,000 people. Most of the Islamic celebrations in Indonesia, such as Ied prayer, are also broadcast from this mosque.

The Mosque is located at Jalan Taman Wijaya Kusuma in Central Jakarta, on the north eastern corner of the Merdeka Square. It Stands almost right across the old Catholic Church at the corner of Jalan Lapangan Banteng. These landmarks represent the nation’s acceptance of religious diversity.

 

History of the Mosque

The Istiqlal Mosque was designed in 1954 by Frederich Silaban, a Christian architect from North Sumatra. To build the mosque, it took 17 years. Built under Sukarno's administration, the construction was personally supervised by the president himself.

The idea for the need of a national mosque was inspired by Muslim leader KH Wahid Hashim and executed by Cokro Aminoto, then minister for religious affairs. The word Istiqlal comes from Arabic that means "Independence." The name is a reminder of Indonesia’s struggle for national Independence and the Istiqlal was built to memorialize it.

 

An Admirable Architecture Design


As one of the remarkable buildings that beautify Central Jakarta’s cityscape, the Istiqlal Mosque inspires with its enormity and contemporary design. The building of the mosque covers approximately nine hectares (22 acres) and has five levels in total. Much of the structure is clad in marble from East Java.

The mosque has a large rectangular prayer hall with a 45 meter diameter dome supported by 12 round columns, and has 4 levels of balconies.  Its interior is mostly simple but represents the luxury of the mosque itself. No wonder most of the jama’ah who come to pray there will take some of their time to take some pictures inside and outside of the mosque as a way to appreciate the beauty of the building itself.

The mosque’s main prayer hall will also make you gaze in awe at the beauty of it. There are also four tiers of balconies surrounding the hall of the main prayer hall of Isitiqlal mosque. When looking for the mihrab, a niche that marks the mosque’s closest point to Mecca. There are also some of the Arabic calligraphies, which spell the names of Allah and Muhammed that perfect the beauty of the main prayer hall.

Running from the main hall are a series of arcades connecting to an open-air courtyard. Look up at the soaring minaret, which transmits the call to prayer every day. Located beyond the southern corner of the courtyard are a fountain and pool. The fountain projects water during important Islamic ceremonies and holidays.

 

World’s Leader Visit

In his brief 18 hours visit to Indonesia on 9th and 10th November 2010, US President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama made a special visit to the Istiqlal Mosque. An aside note which the President heard from the leader of the mosque, and which he relayed to the press, was that during Christmas mass, the mosque’s parking lot is used by the Cathedral’s congregation across the road. And vice-versa during Ied prayers. Later, President Obama praised the Istiqlal Mosque as a symbol of religious tolerance which characterizes Indonesia and Indonesians, inspiring the world. Although non-Muslims aren't allowed to enter the main prayer hall, it's possible for everyone to visit the impressive upper hallways and terraces.

 

Get There 

The grand Istiqlal Mosque of Jakarta is easy to reach since it is near the Gambir Train Station. To get here from the Sukarno-Hatta international airport, you can use public transportation such as "Metromini" or Transjakarta bus in the direction to Gambir. From Gambir  you can use a motorbike taxi commonly known as "ojek", or, if you prefered to, you can walk to this mosque.

To enter the mosque, there are seven entrances that you can go through. Each of the entrance symbolizes one of the Seven Heavens of Islam. Before entering the building, jamaah or worshippers need to take off their shoes.

The mosque is open daily and there is no admission fee to enter. Guides are available to show non-Muslim visitors around the mosque.

 

SELECT * FROM [cq:Page] AS s WHERE ISDESCENDANTNODE(s,'/content/indtravelrevamp/ru/en/trip-ideas') AND (s.[jcr:content/cq:tags] like '%indtravelrevamp:destination/area/jakarta%' ) order by [jcr:content/cq:lastModified] DESC

Suggested for You

Card image cap
21 Sep 2023

What to do in Jakarta during Lebaran? Come see our checklist – Indonesia.Travel

More

Card image cap
25 Jul 2023

Unveiling Indonesia's Backpacking Gems

More

Card image cap
12 Jan 2023

5 Exciting Chinese New Year Experiences in and Around Riau Archipelago

More

Card image cap
1 Dec 2022

Disability Friendly Destinations

More

Card image cap
7 Jul 2022

3 Steps to Offset Carbon Footprints for Sustainability

More

Card image cap
13 Apr 2022

How to Use PeduliLindungi App

More

Card image cap
12 Apr 2022

5 Great Things about Jakarta You Have to Experience

More

Card image cap
14 Dec 2021

Celebrates Your New Year’s Eve in These 5 Back-To-Nature Spots!

More

Card image cap
14 Dec 2021

5 Remarkable Churches in Indonesia

More

Card image cap
10 Nov 2021

4 Ways to Enjoy the Jakarta Fashion and Food Festival

More

Card image cap
23 Sep 2021

Inspirational Story: Ancol Dreamland’s Attempt to Innovate and Provide Entertainment During Pandemic

More

Card image cap
27 Aug 2021

Biggest 2019 Sports Event in Indonesia That You Have to Follow

More

Card image cap
27 Aug 2021

ROAD TO ASIAN GAMES 2018: PALEMBANG, Rising Tourism Sport City

More

Card image cap
26 Aug 2021

11 Indonesian Speciality Restaurants to Taste before You Leave Jakarta

More

Card image cap
26 Aug 2021

10 Exciting Jakarta Shopping Spree Experiences

More

Card image cap
24 Aug 2021

10 Ways to be Healthier during Your Weekend Holiday in the Heart of Jakarta

More

Card image cap
24 Aug 2021

Travel to Jakarta, shop, eat and explore

More

Card image cap
19 Aug 2021

5 Work-friendly Coffee Shops In Jakarta To Boost Your Productivity

More

Card image cap
9 Aug 2021

5 Amazing Restaurants for a Festive Chinese New Year Experience in Jakarta

More

Card image cap
9 Jul 2021

Seven Secrets to Making Your Indonesia Holiday A Stellar One - Indonesia.Travel

More

Card image cap
2 Jul 2021

7 Bucket-Worthy Ideas for the Best Cultural Trip in Indonesia

More

Card image cap
22 Jun 2021

Unique Easter Traditions in Indonesia

More

Card image cap
11 Jun 2021

Looking for A Historical Trip in Jakarta? These Spots Will Send You Back in Time!

More

Card image cap
10 Jun 2021

5 Unique Business Hotels for Your Successful Stay in Jakarta

More

Card image cap
10 Jun 2021

Museum Macan : Jakarta’s new iconic art space

More

Card image cap
10 Jun 2021

11 New Skills to Learn While You Are Staying in Jakarta!

More

Card image cap
10 Jun 2021

ROAD TO ASIAN GAMES 2018: PALEMBANG, Rising Tourism Sport City

More

Card image cap
10 Jun 2021

Road to Asian Games 2018: Enjoy Jakarta!

More

Card image cap
9 Jun 2021

4 Ways to Enjoy the Jakarta Fashion and Food Festival

More

Card image cap
28 May 2021

5 Backpacking Trip Ideas that You must Experience in Indonesia

More

Card image cap
16 Dec 2020

4 Unique Fine Dining Restaurants in Jakarta that Will Astound You

More

Card image cap
8 Sep 2020

10 Islands to Plunge into in Jakarta‘s Thousand Islands

More

Card image cap
4 Sep 2020

Celebrate Eid Al-Fitr in Indonesia with These 10 Delicious Foods

More

Card image cap
3 Sep 2020

5 Ideas for Your Passionate Honeymoon in Bandung

More

Card image cap
3 Sep 2020

Explore Jakarta’s Street Food

More

Card image cap
9 Dec 2019

Jakarta: Indonesia’s Capital of Splendors

More

Card image cap
9 Dec 2019

Explore Jakarta Kota Tua: Today’s Old Batavia

More

Card image cap
9 Dec 2019

Bargain Shopping In Metropolitan Jakarta

More

Card image cap
9 Dec 2019

Shop and Dine in Jakarta’s 5 Luxurious High-End Malls

More

Card image cap
9 Dec 2019

5 Best Hotels to Stay for New Year's Eve in Jakarta

More

Card image cap
9 Dec 2019

5 Budget Shopping Spots in Bandung that Worth Your Trip!

More

Card image cap
9 Dec 2019

Spend Your New Year’s Eve in These Six Spots: Jakartan Style!

More

Card image cap
26 Jul 2018

A Guide for Having An Enjoyable Ramadan Day in Jakarta

More

Card image cap
26 Jul 2018

Easter Tradition in Indonesia

More

Card image cap
26 Jul 2018

Lapis Legit, Indonesia’s Top Traditional Cake: CNN

More

Card image cap
26 Jul 2018

Dining Out in and around BSD City near ICE Convention and Exhibition Hall

More

Card image cap
26 Jul 2018

Best Places To Enjoy Festive Chinese New Year Celebrations in Indonesia

More

Card image cap
26 Jul 2018

Cruise around Kota Tua: Old Batavia of Dutch East India Company Heydays

More

Card image cap
26 Jul 2018

Exclusive Special Fine Dining around Jakarta

More

Card image cap
26 Jul 2018

8 among Jakarta’s Luxurious Hotels to fit your Lifestyle

More

Card image cap
26 Jul 2018

10 Most Unique Mosques in Indonesia

More

Card image cap
26 Jul 2018

Where-To-Go List to Join The Egg-citing Easter Vibe in Jakarta

More

What They Say