East Java Tourism News

Surabaya Great Al-Akbar Mosque, Having Half-Sphere Dome.

September 20th, 2006

Surabaya Great Al-Akbar Mosque was built on August 4, 1995. It becomes a new icon and the pride of all Surabaya people and turns to be one of religious tourism spots that attracts visitors from other regions.

It is located at the side of Surabaya-Gempol highway. The building of Great Al-Akbar Mosque was marked by the laying of a cornerstone done by former vice president of Republic of Indonesia, TRY SUTRISNO and it was officially dedicated by KH. ABDURRAHMAN WAHID, the former president of Republic of Indonesia, on November 10, 2000. The idea of building this mosque came from the Mayor of Surabaya and the Governor of East Java.

The main building and supporting facilities cover 22.300 square meters. It is 147 meters times 128 meters. Its roof is one big dome supported by four copulas and one minaret. The shape and color of Great Al-Akbar Mosque’s dome look different from the domes of other mosques in Indonesia. The uniqueness of the dome is on its shape that is almost similar to half sphere roof with 1,5 layer and it is 27 meters in height. This shape rests on trimmed-pyramid shape. It has 2 layers and is 11 meters in height. Its diameter is 54 m x 54 m.

A product used at several great mosques like Selangor Great Mosque in Syah Alam is used to cover the dome. The result, as it can be seen now, is a 200-tonnes dome that looks very solid, unique and beautiful. Its elegant shape makes the building look shady, commodious, and comfortable. The mosque’s construction is a technology that answers people’s wish in which the mosque shows its wholeness without being disturbed by pillars which often interrupt the view.

Carving and Calligraphy

Other special qualities of Great Al-Akbar Mosque are on the carving and calligraphy motif that decorate various parts of the building. Even before entering the mosque, the visitors can see 45 carved doors made of teak. There are bedug [large drum suspended horizontally at the mosque to summon to prayer] and kentongan [drum made from wood which is used to sound an alarm] at the front porch of the mosque having specific characteristic because of being specifically carved.

 Carving and calligraphy ornaments can be seen on the entire wall, mihrab (chamber in mosque indicating the direction of Mecca), the recess, main walls including bookshelves where the Korans are put that are spread all over the mosque. The ceiling is ornamented with 180 meters times 1 meter Koran calligraphy. The carving and calligraphy add to the grandeur and the quietness of Great Al-Akbar Mosque Surabaya.

The beauty of the mosque is one important consideration in the process of building Great Al-Akbar Mosque such as illumination starting from the building, yard and garden up to the lamps that light the dome and the minaret. 240.000 watts is supplied to support electrical energy.

Various interior elements such as soldered glass decoration have been used by people. This art of glass carving becomes the strength and beauty on the field of exterior and interior. This decoration is made by applying triple-glazed unit. It is the coating of panel of soldered glass or panel of bevel with tempered glass by using machine and material made in America. Triple-glazed unit does not only save energy but also damp noises.

Other important touches for the grandeur and the glory of Great Al-Akbar Mosque are painting and finishing. In the process of finishing, elegant color is used to give Al-Akbar Mosque the feeling of coolness. All parts are colored with harmonious colors dominated by bright colors. This touch is necessary to create supporting condition to reach concentration on praying and asking for God’s favors.

A mosque does not only function as a place to pray but it also function as the center of religious service that is closely related to human struggle as God’s caliph on earth. For that reason, Al-Akbar Mosque prepares certain development concept so that it can function as the center of education, culture, information study and even Moslem development dealing with economic and sophisticated technologies.

Some of Great Al-Akbar Mosque’s power of interests are its easy of access and location and wide and cool parking area. The 3-floor minaret, completing the grandeur of Great Al-Akbar Mosque, is 99 meters in height. It is in accordance with the 99 names of Allah. The sight of spread area of Surabaya can be seen from the top of minaret.
It is free of charge to use any facilities at the Mosque. The visitors are only asked to give their donation put in alms box. Parking fare for motorcycle is Rp. 500. The fare for car is Rp.1500. Bus will be charged Rp. 15.000. It costs Rp. 2000 to enter the minaret.

 Great Al-Akbar Mosque also offers tour package such as going for a walk held once two months. Before going for a walk, the participants listen to sermon about life and religion for 7 minutes. It is hoped that this event will encourage participants to introspect through dzikir [repeatedly chant part of the confession of faith, often in unison, as a form of worship] and to socialize with other moslems

Prohibition and Tips

To keep the mosque holy and glorious, the mosque management issues the following prohibitions:

1. Men and women who are in a state of ritual uncleanness which requires bathing are not allowed to enter the mosque.
2. The visitors should wear clothes covering aurat [genitals or part of the body which may not be visible while performing a ritual]. Men are not allowed to wear short pants. Women should wear vail and are not allowed to wear sleeve-less clothes.
3. Except wearing diaper, children under 4 years old are not allowed to enter the mosque
4. Non-moslems are not allowed to enter holy ground [the place to pray]
5. Eating, drinking and sleeping in the mosque are prohibited.
6. It is not allowed to sell anything in the mosque.
7. It is prohibited to photograph the mosque without asking permission.
8. It is prohibited to take mosque’s properties.
9. It is prohibited to wear footwear in the mosque [at the holy ground]

At the outside of the holy ground, the tips are as follows:

1. Moslem and non-moslem visitors are allowed to visit the section located outside of holy ground.
2. The visitors should park their vehicles at the parking area and pay the fare based on regulation.
3. The visitors should wear decent clothes. Women are not allowed to wear short pants, mini skirt and tight-fitting clothes,
4. The visitors should keep public order in the mosque area.
5. The visitors should keep the mosque are clean and they are not allowed the holy ground except for praying.
6. non-moslem visitors who want to take a tour and want to see the beauty of rooms in the mosque can use second floor by using escalator accompanied by mosque security.
7. The visitors who want to join wedding ceremony or other events in As-Shafa and Al Marwa rooms can use escalator.
8. Legal action will be taken for those who are violating Local-Governmental Regulation no.7/1999 on immoral deeds (drinking liqueur, engaging in sexual intercourse)

If you are interested in visiting Great Al-Akbar Mosque Surabaya, please contact Secretariat of Great al-Akbar Mosque on Pagesangan Street Surabaya, phone number: [031]-8289755 – 8289756.

Photo Text:

1. The dome of Great Al-Akbar Mosque Surabaya that is similar to half sphere shape and different from the dome of other mosques in Indonesia. The dome makes the Great Al-Akbar Mosque look elegant, shady, commodious and comfortable.
2. The greatness of the Great Al-Akbar Mosque, it looks sturdy
3. ZAHRO SUEDES (left) Imam (title of principal mosque leader) of Masjidil Haram, was at Great Al-Akbar Mosque Surabaya.

source : www.suarasurabaya.net

Entry Filed under: East Java News