Istiqlal Mosque
Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia and the sixth largest mosque in the world with a capacity of over 200,000. Built to commemorate Indonesian independence, this national mosque of Indonesia was named “Istiqlal”, an Arabic word for “independence”. The mosque was opened to the public on 22 February 1978. The foundation stone was laid on 24 August 1961; the construction took 17 years. President Suharto inaugurated it as the national mosque on 22 February 1978. The mosque has seven entrances, and all seven gates are named after Al-Asmaul-Husna, the names of God in Islam.
The number seven represents the Seven Heavens in Islamic cosmology. The wudu (ablution) fountains are on the ground floor, while the main prayer hall and main courtyard are on the first floor. The building consists of two connected rectangular structures: the main structure and the smaller secondary structure. The smaller one serves as main gate as well as stairs and prayer spaces. The main dome is adorned with a stainless-steel ornamental pinnacle in the form of a crescent and star, the symbol of Islam. The smaller secondary dome is also adorned with a stainless-steel pinnacle with the name of Allah (God) in Islamic calligraphy.
- Istiqlal Mosque
- Location: Jakarta
- Country:Indonesia
- Capacity: 200,000 over peoples
