1. The History

Two opinions emerge in estimating the time of establishment of the Sultan Ternate Mosque. The first opinion believed that it was built in 1633 C.E. by Sultan Hamzah, while the second said that it was structured in 1606 C.E. But it is strange, compared to the coming of Islam in Nusantara (Malay Archipelago), if the mosque was built in the early 17^th century. The spread of Islam throughout Nusantara was mostly accompanied by building of kingdom‘s mosque. Most of Islamic kingdoms in Java established their mosques in the area of palace. But different fact was found in Ternate. Although the first king, Kolano Marhum (1465-1486 C.E), had officially embraced Islam, the mosque was separately built in the 17^th century, one and half century after his death. In this case, the history of Ternate is different from other Islamic kingdoms. Another fact, the mosque which was constructed out of the area of palace established in 1234 C.E indicates that both buildings are built in the different periods. Therefore, one thing should be questioned is that why was the mosque established one and half century after the palace?

If the historical data above is true, another question may be raised is where did the kings and courtiers perform salat (Islamic prayers) before the establishment of the Sultan Ternate mosque. One source argues that probably, in the time, the process of Islamization had not yet perfected. Indeed the kings had accepted Islam but they were not faithful enough; they did not perform regularly the Islamic Prayers. This argument is hardly accepted, because the son of Kolano Marhum, Sultan Zainal Abidin (1486-1500 C.E) learned Islam in Gresik, East Java, Indonesia, supervised by Sunan Giri (Sunan is title for holy men who first brought Islam to Java). This historical fact proves that he learned Islam deeply.

In the history of Ternate, the kingdom‘s glory was sustained in the era of Sultan Baabullah (1570-1583). But the same question is still raised, where did they perform the Islamic prayers? This is actually a puzzling question. Many opinions try to answer the question, one of which says that actually the mosque was built centuries before the 17^th century, but when? No answer. Another opinion remarks that it was constructed in the 13^th century, long before the rule of Kolano Marhum.

Today, the mosque building still stands firmly. In this mosque, four old hand writing Qur‘ans written by local ulama are maintained. Their papers and writings are well preserved, despite their old age. The four Qur‘ans are still read during Ramadan (the ninth month of the Muslim calendar). At south east side of the mosque, an old big well sits close to the Mosque‘s wall used as a place of wudu (ritual ablution before prayers).

Regarding the previous Islamic tradition of the region, particularly during Islamic festivals such as Eid el-Fitrie (the holy day that celebrates the end of Ramadan month), the sultans of the Ternate Sultanate sit on kingdom‘s throne, called ngorareici, to be carried by the soldiers from the palace to the mosque.

2. The Location

The Mosque of Sultan Ternate is close to the palace of Sultan Ternate, at south east side of the palace, but its yard is not connected with the palace‘s. An orange fortress built by the Dutch colonialist in 1606-1607 C.E lays behind the mosque.

3. The Measure

This part is still in the process of data collecting.

4. The Architecture

The mosque architecture is clearly influenced by the Javanese architecture. Soko guru (timber master columns) placed to support main pyramidal roof resembles tajug (pyramidal roof in Java). In addition, the mosque has a verandah as large as the central area of prayer.

The roof is made of rumbia (type of palm that yield sago) leaves. The four tiered roof is shaped as a normal slope, except the upper most tier which is shaped as an extreme slope. The upper most roof is separated from the lower three tiered roof to provide natural cross ventilation in the central area and also admits light. Small windows are placed at each side of the upper most roof.

Additionally, a storied building is constructed in the yard of the mosque, in a horizontal line with the mihrab (chamber in mosque indicating the direction of Mecca). The lowest part of this storied building is left empty, and its upper part used as a place of azan (call to prayer) and bedug (large drum suspended horizontally at mosque to summon to prayer). The same tiered roof is repeated on the square plan of the storied building, but it mere three tiers.

5. The Planning

This sub title is still in the process of data collecting

6. The Renovation

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