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Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia and the third largest Sunni mosque in term of capacity. This national mosque of Indonesia was built to commemorate Indonesian independence and named “Istiqlal”, an Arabic word for “independence”. The mosque was opened to the public 22 February 1978. Within Jakarta, the mosque is positioned next to Merdeka Square and the Jakarta Cathedral.
Based on the Principles of the Indonesian national philosophy and the five principles which constitute the philosophical foundation of Indonesian nationhood ” Pancasila” (Pancasila is the official, foundational philosophical theory of the Indonesian state. Pancasila comprises two Old Javanese words originally derived from Sanskrit: “panca” (“five”) and “sila” (“principles”). Thus it is composed of five principles and contends that they are inseparable and interrelated: Belief in the One and Only God, A just and civilized humanity, A unified Indonesia, Democracy, led by the wisdom of the representatives of the People Social justice for all Indonesians.)
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 rectangular main prayer hall building is covered by a 45-m diameter central spherical dome; the number “45” symbolizes the 1945 Proclamation of Indonesian Independence. 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.
The dome is supported by twelve round columns, and the prayer hall is surrounded by rectangular piers carrying four levels of balconies. Twelve columns represent the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad in 12th Rabi’ al-awwal.
Capacity:Istiqlal Mosque empowered pilgrims as many as 200,000 people consisting of:
The main prayer room and balcony and wing contain 61,000 people.
The space in the preliminary building contains 8,000 people.
The open terrace room on the 2nd floor contains 50,000 people.
All corridors and other places contain 81,000 people.
National Monument (Indonesia):Just next to Istiqlql Mosque, in Central Jakarta, there is a national monument in the middle of Merdeka Square, a must see place of interest to the visitors which also houses museum.
The National Monument is a 132 m (433 ft) tower in the centre of Merdeka Square, Central Jakarta, symbolizing the fight for Indonesia. It is the national monument of the Republic of Indonesia, built to commemorate the struggle for Indonesian independence.
The monument and the museum are open daily from 08.00 until 16.00 Western Indonesia Time throughout the week except for the Mondays when the monument is closed. Since April 2016, the monument also opens during night time, from 19.00 until 22.00 in Tuesday to Friday, and from 19.00 until 00.00 in Saturday and Sunday.