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Istiqlal Mosque signboard

If you visit Jakarta, don’t forget visit to large mosque that stood firmly on the north side of Monas Square, Istiqlal Mosque. Istiqlal Mosque is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, Indonesia Mosque of pride for Indonesian people as the nation’s expression of gratitude to the gods for successfully fighting for the independence of Indonesia Republic.

‘Istiqlal’ comes from Arabic meaning of independence. The word used as a sense of gratitude for the gift of independence after long period of colonization. Istiqlal Mosque began in 1961 and completed in 1978. Starting at the time of President Sukarno and was launched during President Soeharto. After take about 17 years, then stood Istiqlal Mosque in 3 hectares area. The building consists of mosques, parks, parking lot, the fountains and rivers that surround the parking area of mosque. While the mosque buildings consists of main building, preliminary building, giant porch, tower and ground floor. Main building consists of main floor that serves to pray with 16,000 people capacity. On the left, right and back of the mosque there is five-story floor that can accommodate 61,000 people pilgrims.

This building has 12 large pillars as symbols birth date of Prophet Muhammad. The pillars supporting giant dome with 45 m diameters. Behind main building there is preliminary building that serves as a liaison to floor above. On top of the spire where Adzan is made of stainless steel weighing 28 tons with height of 30 m. While the ground floor under the main building there is giant introductory and terrace.

Uniquely architect of Istiqlal mosque was a christian, Frederich Silaban. This is simply illustrates that Indonesia is a nation that upholds religious tolerance. Until now, the architecture has not changed since the mosque was first built and becomes the purpose of visiting by local and foreign tourists.

Istiqlal Mosque-Jakarta

Istiqlal Mosque from side

Istiqlal Mosque-pillars view

Istiqlal Mosque Interior

Istiqlal Mosque dome view

Istiqlal Mosque-Giant Porch view

images via wikipedia