Istiqlal Mosque is the national mosque of the Republic of Indonesia which is located in the former Wilhelmina Park. Precisely northeast of Medan Merdeka Square in the middle there is a National Monument. Then, across the east of the mosque stands the Jakarta Cathedral Church.

The construction of the mosque was initiated by President Soekarno. As a sign of the start of the construction of the mosque, President Soekarno laid the first stone on August 24, 1951.

Federich Silaban, a Protestant Christian is the architect of the Istiqlal mosque. Very modern architectural style with marble-clad walls. It is also decorated by geometric ornaments and stainless steel.

The capacity of the Istiqlal Mosque

The main building of the Istiqlal mosque has five floors and one ground floor. In the main building a large domed crown was installed with a diameter of 45 meters and was supported by 12 large poles. Then there is also a single tower with a height of 96.66 meters which is located in the southern corner of the mosque hall.

This mosque stands on 2.5 hectares of land, with a total yard area of ​​9.9 hectares. The mosque can accommodate more than 200,000 worshipers. Besides being used for Islamic worship activities, it is also used as an office of Islamic organizations in Indonesia.

On holidays, such as Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Maulid of the Prophet Muhammad, Isra and Miraj and the New Year Hijriyah, the President of Indonesia always carries out religious activities in this mosque. Usually it will be broadcast on national and private television.

History of the Establishment of the Istiqlal Mosque
The idea of ​​the construction of a national mosque that marked Indonesia as a religious state was RI’s first religious minister namely KH Wahid Hasyim. The chosen location adjacent to the Cathedral Church, is a form of religious tolerance that has existed from ancient times. Places of worship of various religions can be built close together.

Istiqlal has the meaning of independence, because this place of worship was built as a form of nation’s gratitude for the independence that had been fought for. In 1951 construction began with the laying of the first stone by President Soekarno. But within a few years it came to a standstill due to political conflict.

The construction of the Istiqlal mosque was then continued by President Soeharto on February 22, 1978. The cost to continue the construction of the mosque was estimated at 12 million US dollars.