Cheng Ho Mosque, Surabaya
This historical house of worship is one of four mosques built to commemorate Chinese admiral Cheng Ho who visited different parts of Indonesia. Like the three other mosques, the architecture looks very oriental, with pagoda instead of a dome and a lot of Chinese detail. The architecture was inspired by Niu Jie Mosque in Beijing, but this mosque also incorporates local design as well as a Middle Eastern touch. With the Arabic script of ‘Allah’ alongside carvings of dragons, the unique fusion is what makes this mosque fascinating.
Baiturrahman Mosque, Aceh | © Wikimedia CommonsLocated in the heart of the sharia-governed Aceh Province, this mosque survived the devastating tsunami in 2004, sheltering thousands of evacuee within its sturdy structure. After renovation work, it was reopened in 2017, retaining its original design with grand domes and a classy monochromatic façade. During its first construction in 1879, materials like marble staircase, windows, and building stones were sourced from China, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The mosque’s new face features hydraulic umbrella-shaped towers and a new pond in its front yard.More Info
Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta
The majestic Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta | © Anthony Cramp / FlickrThis grand mosque is perhaps one of the most important landmarks in Indonesia and certainly the biggest mosque in Southeast Asia. Built as a manifestation of gratitude for the nation’s independence, its grand architecture is dense with cultural and historical symbols, such as a 45-meter diameter of the central dome to commemorate the year of independence. The massive mosque complex has only one minaret to represent the divine oneness of God, soaring at 66.66 meters tall to symbolize the 6,666 verses in the Quran. Awed visitors include Barack Obama, King Salman of Saudi Arabia, Angela Merkel, and many more world leaders.More Info
Dian al Mahri Mosque, Depok
Dian al Mahri Mosque, Depok | ©Wikimedia CommonsThis mosque is also known as the Golden Dome Mosque, for obvious reasons. The five gold-coated domes are certainly hard to miss when admiring the architecture, which draws from Middle Eastern style with multiple minarets, domes, and Islamic decorative detail. The exquisite mosque was named after its benefactor, a businesswoman by the name Hj. Dian Djuriah Maimun Al Rashid. At 50 hectares, this is also one of Southeast Asia largest mosques.More Info
Bayur Grand Mosque, Agam Regency
Unlike most other mosques in Indonesia (or anywhere else for that matter), Bayur Mosque combines Thailand’s pagoda-style architecture with influence from West Sumatra’s traditional houses with the three-tiered roof. Its architectural uniqueness is also made complete by authentic and sometimes fusion ornaments and also a beautifully-crafted landscape with fountains and fish ponds, adding tranquility to the earthy-toned mosque.
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Al-Akbar Mosque, Surabaya
Al-Akbar Mosque, Surabaya | ©Wikimedia CommonsAlso known as the Great Mosque of Surabaya, this is Indonesia’s third-largest mosque. It has 45 main entrances crafted from fine teak wood and a calming but cheerful blue-and-green leaflike dome on top of the two-storey broad building. From the 99-meter-tall tower, visitors and worshippers can enjoy a sweeping view of the city, along with Sidoarjo and Bangkalan, the two neighboring towns.More Info
Al-Irsyad Mosque, Bandung
At a glance, this futuristic, minimalist cube may not exactly look like a common mosque. But with careful observation, you can spot Arabic sentences of adoration to Allah embedded in its exterior. Designed by a local architect who is also Bandung’s mayor Ridwan Kamil, the building employs an open landscape concept with closeness to nature and natural light. The award-winning design also includes symbols of Islam in its meticulous detail, such as 99 light bulbs for 99 names of Allah, each adorned with an individual name.
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Islamic Center Samarinda Mosque, Samarinda
Located on the banks of the great Mahakam river, this mosque has become an iconic landmark of Samarinda, East Kalimantan (Borneo). It is an impressive architectural masterpiece with seven towering minarets and a stunning main dome adorned with flowery patterns, inspired by Istanbul’s Haghia Sophia Mosque. Its ceramic floor bordered with granite lends a feeling of luxury to the interior. The vast mosque complex also makes quite a breathtaking sight when seen from the nearby Mahakam Bridge.
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