Istiqlal Mosque, Indonesia
- Eid ul-Fitr prayer at Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta, Indonesia 日本語: イド・アル=フィトルのお祈りする信者達、イスティクラルモスクにて (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The interior of Istiqlal mosque. The grand domed prayer hall supported by 12 columns covered with stainless steel plates. The design is minimalist, simple and clean cut, with minimal adornment of alumunium geometric ornaments. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Jakarta, taken from Istiqlal mosque Jakarta panoramic view around Medan Merdeka (Merdeka square), the center of Jakarta and the nation. Monas (National Monument) on the foreground with rising Jakarta skylines on the background. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The architecture of Indonesia reflects the diversity of cultural,historical and geographic influences that has shaped Indonesia as a whole.Invaders,colonizers,missionaries and traders brought cultural changes that had profound effect on building styles and techniques.Traditionally the most significant influence is Indian.However Chinese,Arab—and since the 18th and 19th centuries —European influence have played significant roles in shaping Indonesian architecture
Istiqlal Mosque or Masjid is in Jakarta, Indonesia. It is the largest Mosque in Southeast Asia in terms of capacity to accommodate people and building structure. This national Mosque of Indonesia was built to commemorate Indonesian independence ,as nations gratitude for God’s blessings.The name Istiqlal is an Arabic word for independence. After the independence of Indonesia from the Netherlands in 1949, the idea became popular to build a Mosque for a country with the largest Muslim population in the world.
There are seven gates to enter the mosque,each named after Al-Asmaul-Husna the names of God in Islam. The number 7 represents 7 Heavens in Islamic Cosmology. The ablution fountains are located on the ground floor.The main prayer hall and the main courtyard are on the elevated first floor. The main rectangular prayer hall is covered by 45 metre diameter central spherical dome. The number “45” symbolizes the year of proclamation of independence 1945.the main dome is adorned with stainless steel ornamental pinnacle that took form of a crescent and star,the symbol of Islam. The smaller secondary dome is also adorned with stainless steel pinnacle with Arabic calligraphy Allah.
The dome is supported by twelve round columns and the prayer hall is surrounded by rectangular piers carrying four levels of balcony. Twelve columns represent the birthday of Prophet Muhammad on twelfth Rabi-al- Awwal. The main building of Istiqlal consists of five floors,’5′ represents the Five Pillars of Islam .It also represents Pancasila ,the five principles of Philosophical foundation of the Indonesian nationhood.
On the main wall on qibla there is a mihrab and minbar in the center. On the main wall there is also a large metal work of Arabic calligraphy of Surah Taha 14th verse in the center.
Dear Ranu,
Thank you for this post.
What a magnificent mosque. Indonesia is one part of the world which I would really love visit.
All good wishes,
robert
Robert start travelling ,you have many places to visit.
Thanks for your comment.
Dear Ranu,
Yes, I do indeed have a lot of places that I want to visit. Perhaps one day I will be enabled to do so.
All good wishes,
robert
Hurry Robert,do not miss the boat.All the best.
Ranu
Hi Ranu,
I am enthralled that you featured Istiqlal in this blog. I am absolutely thrilled! I have fond memories with the mosque and have always great admiration to the architecture and everything in there. 🙂
You are one generous soul and your posts truly reflect that. Thank you very much, my gorgeous friend! 🙂
Subhan Zein
Thank you.It really is a beautiful mosque.Hi subhan.
Yeah, I visited the mosque many times, all with great memories. Ah, you make me homesick, now! 🙂
Anyway, I hope you don’t mind that I have shared your post in my Facebook Page and Twitter.
Subhan Zein
No,Subhan I don’t mind at all I’m glad you have shared it in your Facebook and Twitter.
Thank you,and best wishes to you.
Beautiful!
Thank you so much ,Cindy.
Ranu
Thanks,Cindy.
Ranu