Author: Emery Taufik Gobel
Translation: Fadlie
When you visit Hyderabad, time to stop in Central Java Grand Mosque which is famous for its architectural beauty and splendor. Located in Jalan Gajah Raya, precisely in the Village Sambirejo, Gayamsari District, the city of Semarang. Phenomenal Mosque which was inaugurated by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on November 14, 2006, was built in 2001 and can accommodate no less than 15 thousand people. When inaugurated, the President signed the stone inscriptions as high as 3.2 m and weighing 7.8 tons, located in front of the mosque. The inscription is made of natural stone that comes from the slopes of Mount Merapi.
Photo credits - Ceppi Prihadi
Mosque complex consists of an area of 7669 m2 main building and courtyard area of 7,500 m2. Unique blend of Javanese architecture, the Middle East and Rome reflected slick from the mosque which is also the attractions of integrated educational, religious, educational centers, and centers of Islamic syiar activity. Just look at the ornaments on the bottom of the pole mosque use motif like tumpal, untu stinky, kawung, and machete-parangan.
There are six giant hydraulic umbrella that can open and close automatically, adopted from the Prophet's Mosque in Medina City. When the umbrella in the courtyard is developed, it will be able to accommodate more pilgrims, at least half of the capacity of mosques. On the walls of the mosque contained a carved beautiful calligraphy. Ornaments nuances of Italian architecture was also touch on some parts of the mosque. The main building of the dome roof, fitted on the outside four minarets (towers) which pointed to the sky tower
Photo credits - Ceppi Prihadi
A replica of a giant drum made by the students Mangunsari Alfalah Islamic School, Jatilawang, Banyumas, West Java, also adorn the mosque. Not only that, you also can find a giant Koran (Mushaf Al Akbar) measuring 145 x 95 cm Hayatuddin handwritten work, a calligrapher from the University of Science and Science Al-qur `an from Wonosobo, Central Java.
Around the mosque there are other supporting buildings, among them: the auditorium on the right wing side of the mosque that can accommodate approximately 2000 people. The auditorium is usually used for exhibitions, weddings and other activities. Left wing of the mosque there is a library and office space for rent to the public. In addition, there are also various kinds of entertainment facilities such as water fountains, children's playground, and train a rabbit that can deliver visitors revolves around the mosque complex.
Photo credits - Ceppi Prihadi
One of the privileges of this mosque is the tower Asmaul Husna (Al Husna Tower) with a height of 99 m. Tower can be seen from a radius of 5 km, is located at the southwest corner of the mosque. In this tower, visitors can enjoy views of the city of Semarang, including passing a passing ship and docked at the Port of Tanjung Emas through binoculars view available. Oh yes, if you want to use these binoculars have to pay rent USD 5000. As for the ride to the Tower, subject to ticket USD 3000/orang (between the hours of 08:00 to 17:30) and rose to Rp 4000/orang (17:30 to 21:00 hours). In this tower, exactly on the 18th floor also features Muslim Cafe. What is interesting is the cafe floor can rotate 360 degrees for 15 minutes so you can enjoy the charm of the city of Semarang range of heights while eating food.
To enter the area of this beautiful mosque was not charged. Please enjoy the exoticism of the mosque in Central Java community pride is by exploring every corner. You'll pass magnificent gate called Al Qanathir. The gate that has a 25 pole as a symbol of the prophet in Islam as a supervising people. At the gate, there are two sentences Iafaz calligraphy carvings creed.
To get to the mosque, it only takes about 15 minutes travel time from the square of Semarang. If riding a motorcycle speed between 40-60 km / hour, you only takes about 15 minutes. Or distance is about 800 meters from the Soekarno-Hatta Arterial Road which is the way the protocol.
Congratulations religious tour to the Grand Mosque of Central Java!
