THE ENCHANTMENT OF CUT MEUTIA MOSQUE, A DUTCH COLONIALISM HISTORICAL LEGACY

Summary

The Chutmutiya Mosque, a unique architectural gem in Jakarta, stands as a symbol of cultural fusion, originally built during the Dutch colonial era. Initially serving as a post office and later various government offices, it was converted into a mosque in 1987. What makes the mosque distinctive is its lack of a dome and its 15-degree tilt from the main building's direction, which was necessary due to its original design. The mosque not only serves as a place of worship but also hosts a variety of social and religious activities, captivating visitors with its rich history and unusual design.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Chutmutiya Mosque was originally a Dutch colonial building and has since been transformed into a mosque.
• 😀 One unique feature of the Chutmutiya Mosque is that its qibla direction is tilted 15 degrees to the right from the building's orientation.
• 😀 Unlike most mosques, the Chutmutiya Mosque does not have a dome, which is a distinctive architectural characteristic.
• 😀 The mosque is located at Jalan Chutmutiya Number 1, in the Kebun Siri Mantang area of Central Jakarta.
• 😀 The building was initially not designed as a mosque, and its interior still shows signs of its original purpose.
• 😀 The congregation prayer hall (saff) was designed following the qibla direction, but adjustments were made to accommodate the existing building structure.
• 😀 The pulpit and mihrab are placed in unconventional locations, with the pulpit on the west side and the mihrab in the corner of the room.
• 😀 A stairwell originally divided the building's lower and upper floors, but the stairs were relocated to the exterior sides of the building.
• 😀 Before becoming a mosque, the building served as a post office, Dutch railway office, and Japanese naval office during the colonial period and WWII.
• 😀 After Indonesia's independence, the building served various government offices before being officially transformed into a mosque on August 18, 1987.
• 😀 The mosque is not only historically significant but also plays an important role in the community, hosting various social and religious activities.

Q & A

What makes the Chutmutiya Mosque unique compared to other mosques?

The Chutmutiya Mosque is unique due to its European-style architecture, lack of a dome, and the fact that its direction is tilted 15 degrees to the right from the building's main structure.

Where is the Chutmutiya Mosque located?

The Chutmutiya Mosque is located at Jalan Chutmutiya No. 1, in the Kabun Siri Mantang area of Central Jakarta.

What was the building used for before becoming a mosque?

Before it became a mosque, the building served as a post office, a Dutch railway office, and an office for the Japanese Navy during 1942-1945.

How did the building's original design affect its conversion into a mosque?

The building was originally not designed as a mosque, which is why the direction of prayer (qibla) had to be adjusted 15 degrees to the right from the building's wall.

What did the Chutmutiya Mosque serve as after Indonesia gained independence?

After Indonesia's independence, the building was converted into a housing affairs office and later became a religious affairs office.

Who was responsible for officially transforming the building into a mosque?

The building was officially transformed into a mosque on August 18, 1987, under the leadership of Ali Sadiq, who was the governor of Jakarta at the time.

What is the architectural style of the Chutmutiya Mosque?

The architectural style of the Chutmutiya Mosque is influenced by classic European designs, which sets it apart from traditional mosque architecture.

How is the interior of the mosque structured?

The interior of the mosque shows that it was not originally designed as a mosque. The prayer hall is laid out to follow the direction of the Ka'ba, and the pulpit is placed on the west side of the room, with the mihrab located in the corner.

What is the significance of the Chutmutiya Mosque's historical value?

The Chutmutiya Mosque holds significant historical value as it dates back to the Dutch colonial era, and it has served various roles over time, from a post office to a religious site.

What kind of activities does the Chutmutiya Mosque host?

The mosque hosts a variety of social and religious activities, engaging the local congregation in both spiritual and community-based events.