Y

uni, 55, who is a Christian, was spotted taking selfies in front of the newly inaugurated KH Hasyim Asy’ari Grand Mosque in West Jakarta.

Along with dozens of her neighbors, Yuni took a bus to travel all the way from Cipinang Besar in East Jakarta to Jakarta’s newest landmark.

She wanted to witness first-hand the beauty of the city-owned mosque, which reportedly cost the Jakarta administration Rp 165 billion (US$12 million).

Transportation and meals, Yuni said, were provided by her sub-district administration.

What seems like hundreds of buses have been filling up the mosque’s parking lot recently.

Despite having to endure city’s chronic traffic jam and spend two hours on busy roads, Yuni said she enjoyed the visit and lauded the building’s design.

The Grand Mosque bears tell-tale signs of the Betawi culture in its decorations, such as fences and pillars that were crafted with a traditional Betawi pattern called gigi baling.

Its primary design was modeled after a rumah batan, a traditional Betawi house.

“I appreciate the government’s efforts to build a place of worship. It’s a lot better to disburse [the city] budget to build something tangible like [the mosque], rather than have it stolen by corruptors,” Yuni said.

Fellow visitor Santi, 63, added: “Although I am a Christian, I was curious to see the mosque — and so are people from other religions. This is a common view to have in a heterogenous society.”

The Grand Mosque was named after one of Indonesia’s most celebrated Muslim clerics and founder of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the nation’s largest Muslim organization. KH Hasyim Asy’ari is also known for promoting moderate Islam.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who proposed the idea of building the house of worship while he was still serving as Jakarta governor in 2013, inaugurated the mosque over the weekend.

During his speech, Jokowi underscored Hasyim Asy’ari’s role as a pioneer of modern Islam who advocated pluralism in the diverse country.

“We must set him as an example for how nationalism and religious values should be upheld, in line with Indonesia’s ideology as a plural and diverse nation,” Jokowi said.

Located on a 2.4-hectare plot of land, the mosque can accommodate 12,500 people.

It features additional facilities such as office space for organizers of events, a function hall that fits 1,000 people and a room for educational purposes.

The building is also equipped with facilities for people with disabilities, such as wheelchair ramps.

Despite the positivity the mosque has garnered, it has also received criticism — particularly on social media — from Muslims who claimed the design was inspired by a cross.

“I have seen an aerial view of the mosque on social media. I think it resembles a Christian cross,” said 28-year-old Firmansyah, a resident of Duri Kosambi in West Jakarta.

For 33-year-old Iput Pujiatun, however, the mosque’s design was not a problem.

What was most important, she said, was its function, which would accommodate the interest of Muslims.

“The Christian cross issue doesn’t bother me. I can feel the Islamic nuance inside the mosque,” said the resident of Cipete, South Jakarta.

Renowned architect Adhi Moersid, who designed the mosque, denied the accusation.

“That’s not true at all, it’s hoax,” he said.

A different form of criticism came from Rusmanto, a Public Facility Maintenance Agency (PPSU) worker, who felt overwhelmed by the number of trash he had to collect due to an absence of trash bins within the mosque’s complex.

“The date of its inauguration was a bit forced, because construction of the park has yet to be completed,” said the 48-year-old.

“Trash bins have not even been installed yet here.”