The number of mosques in Indonesia has reached over 315,000, making the country with the largest number of mosques in the world.

Bogor, W Java (Indonesia Window) – The Muslim population in Indonesia is estimated to reach 244.7 million by early 2025, or 87 percent of the country's total population of 281.27 million.

With a majority Muslim population, the number of mosques in the Southeast Asian country reached over 315,000 as of September this year, according to data from the Mosque Information System (locally known as its abbreviation SIMAS) of the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs.

The number was stated by the head of the Indonesian Archaeologists Association (IAA), Marsis Sutopo, at the 30th series 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 website of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).

He emphasized that with that figure, Indonesia has the largest number of mosques in the world.

Marsis explained that the ministry also divides mosques in Indonesia into eight categories, namely, State Mosques, National Mosques, Grand Mosques, Great Mosques, Large Mosques, Jami Mosques, Historic Mosques, and Mosques in public places.

Of those categories, historic mosques hold a particularly important role because they are part of the nation's cultural assets, he said, adding that there are at least 1,089 historic mosques, which affirm the long history of Islam in Indonesia and constitute the nation's cultural heritage.

Since their inception, mosques have served a wide range of functions. Not only do they serve as places of worship, but also function as centers for education and culture, Islamic propagation, and socio-religious activities.

Even now, mosques likewise have places of community social activities, such as wedding ceremonies, charity events, and discussion forums. In other words, mosques serve as centers of community life, he noted.

Unfortunately, many ancient, historic mosques are being abandoned by their congregations due to the arrival of newer mosques with modern facilities.

Some mosques have also been renovated without regard for the principles of cultural heritage preservation, thus destroying the authenticity of the buildings. In fact, some historic mosques are threatened by a lack of ownership from the surrounding community.

Therefore, Marsis believed that the principles of preservation, as stipulated in Law No. 11 of 2010 concerning Cultural Heritage, must be strictly maintained.

Furthermore, the community can play an active role by utilizing mosques as Objects of Cultural Advancement, as stipulated in Law No. 5 of 2017 concerning Cultural Advancement.

Of course, their use must be in accordance with Islamic beliefs and the function of the mosque. In this context, the community plays the key role, he said, emphasizing that ancient mosques would remain preserved if they are part of the community's daily life.

Marsis hoped that historic mosques would survive not only as physical structures, but also as spiritual, educational, and cultural centers, benefiting future generations.

Reporting by Indonesia Window