If you visit Indonesia, there are several areas of descent from the Chinese people. we call the Chinese settlement area Chinatown. Can not be separated from West Java. In the 19th century, the Chinese began to enter West Java. They were very interested in developing Batavia (now, we call it Jakarta) and they made Priangan (now, we call it West Java) for the Chinese.
In West Java, the Chinese who came to become manual laborers. They work on the railway line from Bogor to Bandung. From its history there, the transportation route (railway) in Bandung has been operating since 1884. From this data, I believe the Chinese began to come in 1884.
To meet their daily needs, they must adapt to the circumstances. To Bandung, Chinese descendants began to settle on Jalan Banceuy. Every year, Chinese ancestry grows. Then, start preparing a place in Bandung. Currently, the place is Chinatown.
Chinese descent has grown, not only Christianity. Among them are Muslims (Islam). One of the typical mosques of Chinese descent is the Al-Imtijaz mosque. This mosque is located in the city of Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. This building is very close to the Abduraman Bin 'auf Trade Center building. (currently not operating anymore). The color of this mosque is dominated by red, a color that is characteristic of the Chinese ethnicity.
The building is very similar to the general Klenteng (Klenteng) but has a dome, just like any other mosque. If you visit this mosque, you will get a gate at the front of the mosque. The gate of this mosque is oval in shape and red in color. After passing through the gap, you will find a small hall, seating area and garden. And the stairs that lead down to the main entrance of the mosque.
There are some very unique buildings in this place, one of which is a shower for ablution before praying. Like a cup. You will also find trees and some flowers that decorate the corners of this mosque. This mosque is located on the side of the road, but this mosque is not too noisy. Because, not many large vehicles pass in this place.
This place is very nice and cool. You will be comfortable to stay here for a while. If you enter this mosque, you will smell the wood in the room. The reason is, the room in this mosque uses a lot of wood. The walls of this mosque use a lot of wood. Wood is also used for the two large posts. Because the red color is characteristic of China, this wooden pole also uses red. Oh yes, besides red, there is a lot of yellow in this mosque.
Which is very pretty between red and yellow. I really like this color. In addition to the two colors, there is a gold color in some parts. This mosque signifies Chinese culture. The three colors signify the color of prosperity for the Chinese. Inside this room, there is calligraphy. In addition to calligraphy, there are decorative lampyrons hanging inside and outside the mosque.
How about the sun conditions for men and women? In Islamic culture, women and men cannot be united in one place. There must be a barrier between men and women. Usually the women's place is behind the men's row. It also has very little space for women. However, in this mosque, the women's area is on the second floor, while the men's prayer area is on the first floor.
So, what is the history of this mosque? This mosque was built under the leadership of Nuriana, the Governor of West Java. I think this mosque was built in 2000. After that, there were attacks and looting against ethnic Chinese during the reformation period. This mosque was built as a place of worship for converts, especially for Chinese Muslims.
Why did he wake up on Banceuy Street? This is because Jalan Bancut is very close to the ethnic Chinese in Bandung. If it's your first time visiting this place, you might wonder about the mosque's very bright colors. There are no mosques in Indonesia that have a very bright red color. In fact, you will also be surprised by the mosque building which is shaped like a pagoda. You will think if the building is a Pagoda.
The pagoda will be easily found on Jalan Banceuy. There are many temples in Bandung. However, this mosque was only officially official in 2010. Its construction took quite a long time. Especially the attacks on ethnic Chinese during the reformation period traumatized the ethnic Chinese in Bandung. This place has history. I will tell you. In Mandarin, this mosque has the name Ronghe which means assimilation.
The goal was to build this mosque so that there would be assimilation between ethnic Chinese and other Muslims. In Bandung, ethnic Chinese are not easily accepted. Although, in its history the King of Padjadjaran was well received by the Chinese. Even though this mosque was built with Chinese culture, prayers are still carried out. That's the history of this place. This mosque is the same as other mosques. There is a pulpit, prayer mats, calligraphy decorations.
However, the architecture of this place is like a pagoda which is the culture of the Chinese community. In Islam, cleanliness is part of faith, this place is a very clean place. In addition, it is done to maintain the comfort of worship. Once my story about this place, are you interested in this place? oh yeah, there are some photos that I took in 2016. You could say, I took them at the end of 2021. This mosque is sometimes my resting place too.
About Author
Nurdiani Latifah
My name is Nurdiani Latifah. I currently live in Jakarta – Indonesia, after 25 years I live in Bandung. I am a media staff at an NGO in Indonesia. I have worked in this institution for almost 2 years on issues of women and peace. I had been a journalist in Bandung for 3 years.
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