Istiqlal Mosque

First time visiting Istiqlal Mosque, and I was thoroughly impressed. The guided tour and staff were excellent, and the mosque’s architecture is remarkable. The robes provided for visitors were clean and comfortable. The atmosphere is calm and serene, and the cathedral across the street beautifully reflects Indonesia’s commitment to interfaith harmony.

It was my first time here. The mosque is very big and beautiful. This mosque is the biggest mosque in Indonesia. The Istiqlal Mosque was built to its immense size and right next to a church in Indonesia for two main reasons: * A Symbol of Independence and National Pride: The mosque serves as a celebration of Indonesia's independence. As the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, Indonesia wanted a grand mosque to reflect its status and pride. * A Symbol of Tolerance and Religious Unity: Placing the mosque next to the Jakarta Cathedral was intended to symbolize peaceful coexistence and brotherhood among different religions in Indonesia. This commitment to interfaith harmony was further emphasized by the selection of a Christian architect to design the mosque.

🕌 About the Mosque Istiqlal Mosque (Masjid Istiqlal), meaning “Independence Mosque” in Arabic, was commissioned to mark Indonesia’s independence and serve as a national symbol of the country’s spiritual foundation. Construction began in 1961 under President Sukarno and was completed in 1978. One of its most powerful symbols lies in its design, crafted by Friedrich Silaban, a Christian architect, reflecting the country’s commitment to interfaith respect and unity. The mosque is located directly across from Jakarta Cathedral, demonstrating the harmonious coexistence of faiths in Indonesia. 🏛️ Architectural Beauty & Scale Istiqlal Mosque is a true marvel of modern Islamic architecture. Its design blends symbolism with functionality, featuring a massive central dome 45 meters in diameter and a 96-meter-high minaret. The mosque is built almost entirely of polished marble, with grand columns, flowing arches, and intricate geometric patterns that echo Islamic artistic heritage. The mosque has the capacity to accommodate over 120,000 worshippers at once, a testament to its scale and significance. The vast main prayer hall, the spacious courtyards, and the ambient natural light filtering through the structure create a serene and majestic atmosphere that fills the heart with awe and peace.

Istiqlal Mosque – A Grand Symbol of Indonesia’s Spiritual Unity and Independence Located in the heart of Jakarta, right across from the Jakarta Cathedral and near Merdeka Square, stands the magnificent Istiqlal Mosque — the largest mosque in Southeast Asia and one of the most important religious landmarks in Indonesia. Its name, “Istiqlal,” which means “Independence” in Arabic, reflects its purpose: to celebrate Indonesia’s freedom from colonial rule and to symbolize the spiritual independence of the Indonesian people. Construction of Istiqlal began in 1961 under the leadership of President Soekarno, and the mosque was officially opened in 1978. What makes this mosque particularly special is that it was designed by a Christian architect, Friedrich Silaban, showing the spirit of tolerance and religious harmony in a predominantly Muslim country. The proximity of the mosque to the cathedral is not a coincidence — it’s a powerful message of interfaith unity in Indonesia. As you approach the mosque, you are struck by its monumental scale and modern architectural style. The mosque can accommodate up to 200,000 worshippers, making it one of the largest in the world. Its giant central dome, supported by twelve towering columns, spans 45 meters in diameter — symbolizing the year of Indonesia’s independence (1945). There’s also a beautiful 96-meter minaret, from where the call to prayer echoes through central Jakarta. Once inside, the sense of peace and awe is immediate. The main prayer hall is vast and open, adorned with stainless steel ornaments, Arabic calligraphy, and geometric patterns. The natural lighting that filters through the high windows creates a calm and spiritual atmosphere. Visitors can feel the serenity and grandeur of the space, whether they come to pray, reflect, or simply admire the beauty of the architecture.

Finally I got here. This mosque is impressive, has huge area and clean. There is a place to store sandals and shoes, power bank rental as well. Security guards are always on guard at the entrance and exit. This mosque has strategic location due to near Monas, Monument National Indonesia and other public facilities.

Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta is grand and peaceful, a must-visit when in the city. What stood out most was the Tunnel of Friendship that connects it to the nearby cathedral, symbolizing unity and interfaith harmony. A beautiful blend of architecture and meaning!

Quite big and central mosque in the capital of Jakarta. Clean, well-maintained and tidy at the washroom. Good place to see the locals worshipping. Recommended to check out this mosque.

Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia and the ninth largest mosque in the world in terms of worshipper capacity. Standing on 91,629 m2 (986,286 sq ft) of land, the Grand Mosque of Istiqlal is easily the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, with the capacity to host up to 120,000 pilgrims. The name 'Istiqlal' means 'independence' in Arabic, as it was built to commemorate Indonesian independence and meant to be the national mosque.