Ancient mosques in Indonesia preserve national history, identity

Ancient mosques in Indonesia hold significant religious, social, and cultural values, maintaining the continuity of the nation’s history and civilization.

 

Bogor, W Java (Indonesia Window) – Ancient mosques in Indonesia hold significant religious, social, and cultural values, said Irfan Mahmud, head of the Center for Prehistoric Archaeology and History Research of the National Research and Innovation Agency (locally known as its abbreviation BRIN).

He described the ancient mosques in Indonesia at the 30th edition of a webinar entitled ‘Strategies for Preserving Ancient Mosques as Cultural Assets Through Local Traditions and Community Roles,’ on Tuesday (Sept 9), as quoted from the agency’s website.

Not only do mosques serve as places of worship, but also centers of civilization, education, social interaction, and markers of community identity, he added.

In the history of the archipelagic country, according to Irfan, mosques had even been a crucial part of the birth of settlements and cities.

He underscored that preserving ancient mosques means maintaining the continuity of the nation’s history and civilization.

The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs has divided mosques into eight categories namely, State Mosques, National Mosques, Grand Mosques, Great Mosques, Large Mosques, Jami Mosques, Historic Mosques, and Mosques in public places.

Irfan stated that ancient mosques are not merely stand-alone material objects, but are part of the cultural, social, and even political systems that exist within society.

Therefore, he continued, an interdisciplinary approach combining archeology, history, anthropology, social sciences, and religious perspectives is essential to preserving ancient mosques in the country.

Irfan emphasized that community involvement must be central, adding that the community should not merely be an accessory to ceremonial events but should be an active participant in the sustainable preservation process.

Several historical records indicate that the five oldest mosques in Indonesia are as follows.

1. Saka Tunggal Mosque in Central Java province. This 12×18 meter mosque was built in 1288 AD, making it the oldest mosque in Indonesia.
2. Wapauwe Mosque, Central Sulawesi province. The Wapauwe Mosque stands adjacent to the ruins of an old church. Built in 1414 AD, this mosque served as a means of spreading Islam in Central Sulawesi. Wapauwe Mosque itself means ‘mosque built under an ash mango tree’.
3. Bayan Beleq Ancient Mosque, Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara province. Details of the mosque’s construction are unknown, but it is estimated to have been standing for 500 years.
4. Sunan Ampel Mosque, Surabaya, East Java province. Raden Achmad Rachmatulloh, also known as Sunan Ampel, founded this mosque in the 15th century, around 1421 AD, assisted by his companions and students.
5. Demak Grand Mosque. Founded by Raden Fatah in 1475 AD, this mosque was constructed during the Demak Sultanate, the first Islamic sultanate in Java. The Demak Sultanate was originally part of the Majapahit Empire.

Reporting by Indonesia Window