Mosque of Jami Bengkulu

1. History

Jami Mosque Bengkulu is frequently associated with the figure of Ir. Soekarno even though the mosque has already been established far before the visit of Ir. Soekarno to the mosque. Before it was moved to Suprapto Street, the mosque was at Kampung Bajak Village, nearby the tomb of Sentot Ali Basya – Diponegoro`s partner.

Jami Mosque Bengkulu was assumed for being built in the 18^th century with simple architecture. It was the consequence of the Dutch General Governor named De Jonge in 1930 A.D. who banned any kind of gathering. Everyone organizing gathering for gaining Indonesian freedom would be caught and alienated in Bengkulu, including Ir. Soekarno who was caught in 1930 A.D. because he organized a political gathering in Bandung, West Java Province. Before he was relocated to Bengkulu in 1938 A.D., he had already alienated in Ende, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara Province. Since then the history of Jami Mosque Bengkulu was started out.

During his estrangement in Bengkulu, heir. Soekarno frequently used his time teaching in Muhammadiyah School in Bengkulu. His ability in architecture was implied when he repaired this old mosque because it was always muddy at rainy season. Local inhabitants said that it was community based renovation, meaning that that the cost was funded from local community,.even the materials were from Air Dingin Village, Reja Lebong, North Bengkulu.

2. Location

Jami Mosque Bengkulu is located on Soeprapto Street, Bengkulu Province, Indonesia.

3. Width

It is 212,425 meter squares in width with 86,87 meter squares in width of the veranda. 

4. Architecture

It was totally simple on architecture since it was made of wood and used sago palm leaves as the roof in the past. Therefore, the building decayed over the time, making the inside room was muddy at rainy season. Then Ir. Soekarno came there to renovate it by refurbishing some parts of the building. The only parts of the building that are kept on its original shape are its wall and floor. However, the wall was heightened about two meters and the floor was widened about 30 cm squares. Its roof and pillars were altered into three layer roof symbolizing Iman (faith), Islam, and Ihsan (charity). Qur`anic carving ornaments and spiralling relieves with yellow colour beautify the mosque.

The mosque consists of three parts with the first one is the room for praying; veranda; and a place for wudhu (ablution). The room for praying is 212,425 meter squares with three entrance doors. A niche within the room is four meter squares in width with an Istanbul pulpit and four ladder-steep on it. Two domes made of aluminium are on the roof.

Outside this room, a veranda with 11,46 x 6.58 meters squares is available with bedug (skinned drum to sign the coming of praying time) with 80 cm in diameter. The place for wudhu is 8,80 x 5,55 meter squares that is made of stone and coral. A wide yard in front of the mosque is fully grown up with leafy trees offering fresh atmosphere.

5. Draftsman

The first founder of the mosque is unknown. The only assumption of the local inhabitants that the one having idea for renovating the mosque was Ir. Soekarno.

6. Renovation

It has been renovated for three times but there is no detailed data about it.

References:

Abdul Baqir Zein. 1999. Masjid-Masjid Bersejarah di Indonesia. Jakarta: Gema Insani Press.

(NI/ter/09/05-08)