Baiturrahman Grand Mosque

Last updated
Baiturrahman Grand Mosque
Masjid Raya Baiturrahman
مسجد راي بيت الرحمن
Meuseujid Raya Baiturrahman
Grote moskee van Baiturrahman
Meuseujid Raya Baiturrahman .jpg
Religion
Affiliation Islam
Branch/tradition Sunni (Shafi'i)
Location
Location Banda Aceh, Indonesia
Location map Indonesia Aceh.png
Red pog.svg
Location in Aceh, Northern Sumatra, Sumatra and Indonesia
Location map Northern Sumatra.png
Red pog.svg
Baiturrahman Grand Mosque (Northern Sumatra)
Indonesia Sumatra location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Baiturrahman Grand Mosque (Sumatra)
Indonesia location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Baiturrahman Grand Mosque (Indonesia)
Geographic coordinates 5°33′13″N95°19′1.9″E / 5.55361°N 95.317194°E / 5.55361; 95.317194
Architecture
Architect(s) G. Bruins
TypeMosque
Style Mughal revivalism
Groundbreaking1879
Completed1881
Specifications
Capacity30,000
Interior area1,500 m2 (16,000 sq ft)
Dome(s)7 Domes
Minaret(s)8 Minarets

Baiturrahman Grand Mosque (Indonesian : Masjid Raya Baiturrahman; Acehnese: Meuseujid Raya Baiturrahman) is a mosque located in Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia. The Baiturrahman Grand Mosque is a symbol of religion, culture, spirit, strength, struggle, and nationalism of the Acehnese people. The mosque is a landmark in Banda Aceh and has survived the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

Contents

History

Original Baiturrahman mosque
Idul Adha in Aceh, 1637, sketched by Peter Mundy part 1.jpg
Procession of Eid al-Adha in Aceh, 1637
View of the great mosque of Aceh, sketched about 1650.jpg
View of the great mosque of Aceh, about 1650
AMH-6875-KB View of Achin.jpg
18th-century view of Banda Aceh
Before 1935, the new Baiturrahman Grand Mosque featured one dome and one minaret COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM De Baiturrahman moskee in Koetaradja TMnr 60023672.jpg
Before 1935, the new Baiturrahman Grand Mosque featured one dome and one minaret

The original Masjid Raya ("Grand Mosque") was built in 1612 during the reign of Sultan Iskandar Muda. Some say the original mosque was built even earlier in 1292 by Sultan Alaidin Mahmudsyah. The original royal mosque featured a multi-tiered thatched roof, a typical feature of Acehnese architecture. [1]

The interior, c. 1895 KITLV A99 - Interieur van de grote moskee te Koetaradja, KITLV 82863.tiff
The interior, c.1895

When the Colonial administration of the Dutch East Indies attacked the Kraton during the First Aceh Expedition on 10 April 1873, the Acehnese attacked the KNIL from the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque. From some flares shot onto the thatched roof, the mosque caught fire. General van Swieten promised the local rulers he would rebuild the mosque and create a warm place for mercy. In 1879, the Dutch rebuilt the Mosque Baiturrahman as a gift to — and to reduce the anger of — the Acehnese. Construction only began in 1879, when the first stone was laid by Tengku Qadhi Malikul Adil, who became its first imam, and was completed on 27 December 1881 during the reign of Muhammad Daud Syah, the last sultan of Aceh. Many Acehnese initially refused to pray at Baiturrahman because it was built by the Dutch, whom they were warring against. Nowadays, however, it is a source of pride for Banda Aceh. [2]

At first, the mosque featured only one dome and one minaret. More domes and minarets were added in 1935, 1958 and 1982. Today, the mosque has seven domes and eight minarets, including the highest in Banda Aceh. [3]

The mosque survived the 2004 earthquake and tsunami with minor damages such as wall cracks. The earthquake had slightly tilted and cracked the 35-metre (115 ft) minaret by the main gate. During the disaster, the mosque served as a temporary shelter for displaced persons and only reopened for prayers after two weeks. [3]

Architecture and design

The main minaret, December 2014 Meunara utama Meuseujid Raya.JPG
The main minaret, December 2014

The mosque was originally designed by the Dutch architect Gerrit Bruins. [4] [5] The design was subsequently adapted by L.P. Luijks, who also supervised the construction work done by contractor Lie A Sie. [4] The design chosen is Mughal revival style, characterized by grand domes and minarets. The unique black domes are constructed from hard wood shingles combined as tiles.

The interior is decorated with relieved wall and pillars, marble staircase and floor from China, stained-glass windows from Belgium, well-decorated wooden doors, and ornate bronze chandeliers. The building stones are from the Netherlands. At the time of its completion, this new design presented a stark contrast compared to the original mosque to the extent that many Acehnese refused to pray in the mosque, because it was built by the Dutch "infidels". Today however, the mosque has become the pride of Banda Aceh. [2]

As of present, the mosque has 7 domes, 8 minarets, and 32 pillars.

Replica

Blessing of buffaloes at the Baiturrahman mosque at the end of Ramadan COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Inzegening van karbouwen die geslacht worden na afloop van de vastenmaand Ramadan bij de Baiturrahman moskee in Koetaradja TMnr 10001241.jpg
Blessing of buffaloes at the Baiturrahman mosque at the end of Ramadan

A miniature of Baiturrahman Grand Mosque is featured in Minimundus miniature park, Austria.

Traditions

A scene of the blessing of buffaloes at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan was captured by Dutch photographer Christiaan Benjamin Nieuwenhuis.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sumatra</span> Island in western Indonesia

Sumatra is one of the Sunda Islands of western Indonesia. It is the largest island that is fully within Indonesian territory, as well as the sixth-largest island in the world at 482,286.55 km2 (182,812 mi.2), including adjacent islands such as the Simeulue, Nias, Mentawai, Enggano, Riau Islands, Bangka Belitung and Krakatoa archipelago.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aceh</span> Province of Indonesia

Aceh, officially the Province of Aceh, is the westernmost province of Indonesia. It is located on the northern end of Sumatra island, with Banda Aceh being its capital and largest city. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the west, Strait of Malacca to the northeast, as well bordering the province of North Sumatra to the east, its sole land border, and shares maritime borders with Malaysia and Thailand to the east, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India to the north. Granted a special autonomous status, Aceh is a religiously conservative territory and the only Indonesian province practicing Sharia law officially. There are ten indigenous ethnic groups in this region, the largest being the Acehnese people, accounting for approximately 70% of the region's population of about 5.5 million people in mid-2023. Its area is comparable to Croatia or Togo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aceh War</span> 1873–1904 Dutch colonial war in Indonesia

The Aceh War, also known as the Dutch War or the Infidel War (1873–1904), was an armed military conflict between the Sultanate of Aceh and the Kingdom of the Netherlands which was triggered by discussions between representatives of Aceh and the United States in Singapore during early 1873. The war was part of a series of conflicts in the late 19th century that consolidated Dutch rule over modern-day Indonesia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banda Aceh</span> City and capital of Aceh, Indonesia

Banda Aceh is the capital and largest city in the province of Aceh, Indonesia. It is located on the island of Sumatra and has an elevation of 35 meters. The city covers an area of 61.36 square kilometers (23.69 sq mi) and had a population of 223,446 people at the 2010 Census, rising to 252,899 at the 2020 Census. The official estimate as at mid 2023 was 261,969.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aceh Besar Regency</span> Regency in Sumatra, Indonesia

Great Aceh Regency is a regency of the Indonesian province of Aceh. The regency covers an area of 2,903.49 square kilometres and had a population of 351,418 at the 2010 Census, 391,870 at the 2015 census and 405,535 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 435,298. The Regency is located at the northwest tip of Sumatra island and surrounds the provincial capital of Banda Aceh, many suburbs of which lie within the Regency. It also includes a number of islands off the northern tip of Sumatra, which comprise Pulo Aceh District within the regency. The seat of the Regency government is the town of Jantho.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Architecture of Indonesia</span>

The architecture of Indonesia reflects the diversity of cultural, historical, and geographic influences that have shaped Indonesia as a whole. Invaders, colonizers, missionaries, merchants, and traders brought cultural changes that had a profound effect on building styles and techniques.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Architecture of Sumatra</span> Sixth largest island in world

The Indonesian island of Sumatra is the sixth largest island in the world. The rich ethnic diversity and historical heritage in Sumatra is reflected in the range of architectural styles in the island. The vernacular style is the native Sumatran ethnic groups architecture of dwellings, while the Hindu-Buddhist architecture reflected through the cultural historical heritage of candis built in Sumatra. The third wave is Islamic architecture adopted in mosques and palace in Sumatra, especially in Aceh, North Sumatra, and Malay cultural sphere in the island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ganting Grand Mosque</span> Mosque in Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia

The Ganting Grand Mosque is a Sunni mosque located in Ganting, Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia. Construction began in 1805, making it the oldest in Padang and one of the oldest in Indonesia. It is a Cultural Property of Indonesia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand Mosque of Medan</span> Mosque in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia

Grand Mosque of Medan or Masjid Raya Al-Mashun is a mosque located in Medan, Indonesia. The mosque was built in the year 1906 and completed in 1909. In beginning of its establishment, the mosque was a part of the Maimun palace complex. Its architectural style combines Middle Eastern, Indian, and Spanish elements. The mosque has an octagonal shape and has wings to the south, east, north, and west.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great Mosque of Palembang</span> Mosque in Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia

The Great Mosque of Palembang, also known as Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin I Great Mosque after the former Sultan of Palembang, is the main mosque of Palembang, the capital of South Sumatra. The mosque is the largest in South Sumatra, and the third largest mosque in Sumatra after the Grand Mosque of West Sumatra and Great Mosque of Pekanbaru.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand Mosque of Bandung</span> Mosque in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

The Grand Mosque of Bandung, previously known as the Great Mosque of Bandung, is a mosque in Bandung, the a provincial capital of West Java, Indonesia. The mosque received the status of provincial mosque in West Java Province in 2004. It is located on the east side of the alun-alun of Bandung.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baiturrahim Mosque</span> Mosque in Aceh, Indonesia

Baiturrahim Mosque is a mosque located in the Meuraksa sub-district of Ulee Lheue, Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia. As a legacy of the sultan of Aceh in the 17th century, it is one of the historical mosques in Indonesia. Previously, the mosque was named Jami Ulee Lheu Mosque. In 1873, when the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque was burned by the Dutch, all the worshipers held a Friday prayer at Ulee Lheue. Since then, the name of the mosque has been Baiturrahim Mosque.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Syekh Burhanuddin Grand Mosque</span> Mosque in Padang Pariaman, West Sumatra, Indonesia

The Syekh Burhanuddin Grand Mosque is one of the oldest mosques as well as a cultural heritage in West Sumatra, Indonesia. The mosque is located in Nagari Ulakan, Ulakan Tapakis sub-district, Padang Pariaman district of West Sumatra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baitul Makmur Meulaboh Grand Mosque</span> Mosque in Aceh, Indonesia

Baitul Makmur Meulaboh Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the western coast of Meulaboh, Aceh, Indonesia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rao Rao Mosque</span> Mosque in Tanah Datar, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Rao Rao Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Indonesia located in Nagari Rao Rao, Tarab River, Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra. It is located on the road from Batusangkar bound to Bukittinggi, precisely in Rao Rao. This mosque of Minangkabau and Persian architecture was built in 1908 with a roof made from fibers before being changed to zinc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mosque architecture in Indonesia</span> Complex of multiple built objects

Mosque architecture in Indonesia refers to the architectural traditions of mosques built in the archipelago of Indonesia. Initial forms of the mosque, for example, were predominantly built in the vernacular Indonesian architectural style mixed with Hindu, Buddhist or Chinese architectural elements, and notably didn't equip orthodox form of Islamic architectural elements such as dome and minaret. Vernacular architectural style varies depending on the island and region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand Mosque of Kubang Putih</span> Mosque in Kubang Putiah, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Grand Mosque of Kubang Putih is an early 19th-century mosque located in the town of Kubang Putiah, West Sumatra, Indonesia. The mosque is designated as a cultural heritage object along with several other old mosques in West Sumatra, such as Bingkudu Mosque in Agam, Rao Rao Mosque in Tanah Datar, and the Ganting Grand Mosque in Padang.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al-Bantani Grand Mosque</span> Mosque in Serang, Banten, Indonesia

Al-Bantani Grand Mosque is a congregational mosque in the city of Serang, Banten, Indonesia. With a capacity of 10,000 pilgrims, it is the second largest mosque in Banten province after the Al-Azhom Grand Mosque.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darussalam Grand Mosque, Palangka Raya</span> Mosque in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

Darussalam Grand Mosque, Palangka Raya is one of the mosques in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. This grand mosque is located on George Obos Street in the district of Jekan Raya, Palangka Raya. This mosque is situated within the Islamic Center area of Palangka Raya. This grand mosque is also one of the most important icons of the capital city of Central Kalimantan province.

References

  1. Gunawan Tjahjono (1998). Indonesian Heritage-Architecture . Singapore: Archipelago Press. pp.  81–82. ISBN   981-3018-30-5.
  2. 1 2 "Banda Aceh - Sumatra - Indonesië". Archived from the original on 2016-11-17. Retrieved 2014-09-12.
  3. 1 2 Archived 2012-03-21 at the Wayback Machine Aceh Heritage
  4. 1 2 Archived 2015-01-04 at the Wayback Machine Amazing Baiturrahman; Kisah Awal Mula Masjid Raya Banda Aceh
  5. Van der Klaauw, C.J., ed. (24 December 1940). Geslachtslijst Bruins. p. 6. Archived from the original on 7 June 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2016.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Baiturrahman Mosque at Wikimedia Commons