East Java Tourism News

A Historical Site, Islam is embraced by Chinese

September 19th, 2006

Mohammad Cheng Hoo Mosque has special characteristic compared to other mosques because of its firstly Chinese architecture style that is found in Indonesia. Located on Jl. Gading no.2 Surabaya (in the East Java PITI’s buildings) Mohammad Cheng Hoo Mosque has the special Chinese architecture style which is dominated with the colours of green, red, and yellow and also the ornaments that can be found only in the old buildings of early generation of Chinese in Indonesia also can be seen in the Mohammad Cheng Hoo Mosque.

This mosque was officially opened on May 28th, 2003 by Prof. Dr. SAID AGIL AL MUNAWAR, the Minister of Religious Affairs and it spent Rp. 700 millions. Actually Mohammad Cheng Hoo Mosque is the first mosque in Surabaya and even in Indonesia that has the special characteristic of its Chinese architecture.

On the right side of this mosque, there is a miniature of Admiral Mohammad Cheng Hoo’s ship [which is well known by the name Sam Po Kong]. Admiral Sam Po Kong was a moslem from china in which of his 7 journeys (in 1405-1433) traveled to Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and he used to visit Indonesia.

 Beside his peaceful diplomation and trade purposes with the kingdoms in the Indonesian Archipelago, he also preached the teaching of Islam to the native people. Further, it can be said that Admiral Mohammad Cheng Hoo was one of the pioneers of Islamic preachers in Indonesia.

The plan of this mosque was inspired by the building of Niu Jie Mosque in Beijing. Niu Jie Mosque has 21X11 meters fir its width, which the main building is 11X9 meters, and the floor is higher than the side building. The roof is constructed in Pagoda style that has three-storey octagonal shape.

The all 3 sizes or numbers have their meanings. 11 symbolizes the Kabah size at the first construction of it. 9 is associated with the Wali Songo (Nine Saints of the earliest preachers of Islam in Java), and 8 (or Pat Kwa-in Chinese numerology) means the fortune/glory. On the left and right main building also can be seen the supporting buildings with the size is 5 X 7 meters. And these two buildings are lower than the main one.

 Mohammad Cheng Hoo Mosque can accommodate up to 250 worshippers. But o every Friday, Id-ul Fitri and Id-ul Adha prayer the time when the worshippers are more, there will be a tent so that it can accommodate from 800 up to 2500 worshippers in the front yard of the mosque.

Mohammad Cheng Hoo Mosque is under the guidance of Ustadz (Islamic teacher) Drs. H. BURNADI (TJHIA SIN HAK) that has witnessed the process of islamization for dozens of new Moslems from Chinese people. This achievement has never been done before in all parts of PITI in Indonesia.

The existence of Mohammad Cheng Hoo Mosque has introduced and ensured the Chinese people about the teaching of Islam by a true approach, not by forcing them.

Since for the first time announced to the public, Mohammad Cheng Hoo Mosque has helped the understandings of the Chinese people and especially the Chinese moslems so that they can have the mutual understandings for all parts of people, from university society, Islamic teaching groups, or individuals.

This mosque is not only functioned for discussions, Islamic teaching, the massive kids’ circumcision, dzikir [repeatedly chant part of the confession of faith, often in unison as a form of worship], health treatment, and so on, but also used to hold the wedding ceremony from many ethnics and tribes.

Suggestion and Prohibition:
Considering that this mosque is a worship place, some should be noticed that:

-Take off shoes and sandals while entering the worship place of the mosque
-Dress modestly and politely
-For a group, it is better to contact: [031] 5342224, East Java PITI Committee.

How to get there:
1. Bemo V to Joyoboyo – Kapas Krampung, stop in front of TMP Kusuma Bangsa-THR Surabaya Mall (Jl. Gading is behind the TMP)
2. From Kupang-Diponegoro streets, bemo W, stop on Jl. Gading

Source: East Java PITI committee

Texts of Photographs:
1. The mosque’s roof with its octagonal pagoda shape
2. The replica of Admiral Mohammad Cheng Hoo’s ship besides the mosque
3. Main building of the mosque with its Chinese ornament
Photo by TITIN suarasurabaya.net

source : www.suarasurabaya.net

Entry Filed under: East Java News