The Istiqlal Mosque

(Image source: www.jakarta-tourism.go.id)

The Istiqlal mosque is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia both in structure and capacity, as it can accommodate congregations of up to 120,000 people.

The grand Istiqlal Mosque of Jakarta was inspired by Indonesia’s first President Soekarno, but it took 17 years in construction. Finally on 22 February 1978, Indonesia’s second President Soeharto inaugurated it as the country’s national mosque. Located on the north eastern corner of the Merdeka Square, the Istiqlal Mosque stands out with its 45m diameter dome and tall minarets. Standing almost right across the Catholic Cathedral at the corner of Jalan Lapangan Banteng, the Istiqlal mosque was designed in 1954 by Frederick Silaban, a Christian architect from North Sumatra.

The mosque has a large rectangular prayer hall with a 45 meter diameter dome supported by 12 round columns. Its interior is mostly simple. In his brief 18 hours visit to Indonesia on 9th and 10thNovember 2010, US President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama made a special visit to the Istiqlal mosque. Later President Obama praised the Istiqlal Mosque as a symbol of religious tolerance which characterizes Indonesia and Indonesians.

Address: Jalan Taman Wijaya Kusuma, Central Jakarta