The government has announced a major renovation of the majestic Istiqlal Mosque in Central Jakarta. The renovation project will be the most extensive of its kind since the mosque was opened in 1978, Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said.

His ministry, the Religious Affairs Ministry, the Environment and Forestry Ministry and the Istiqlal Mosque management signed an agreement on Thursday, marking the start of the project that will cost Rp 465.30 billion (US$32 million).

Located across from Jakarta’s Catholic Cathedral, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia had its ground-breaking in 1961 during then-president Sukarno’s rule, but it was not until 1978 that it was inaugurated by his successor Soeharto.

Basuki said the renovation of the mosque and its surroundings would include the plaza area, the gate, the mosque compound, mihrab (prayer cubicle for the imam to lead mass prayers), toilets, ablution blocks and electrical as well as plumbing systems. The project will also involve the improvement of the mosque’s marble exteriors, dome and minaret.

He stressed that the renovation would not modify the signature design of the mosque, created by renowned architect Friedrich Silaban. The renovation will adapt the minimalist design suited for Indonesia’s tropical climate.

Once completed, the mosque, which has a capacity of 200,000, will be divided into three zones, namely the main zone for mosque activities, supporting zone for social activities and the public zone.

“We will renew it entirely. We will replace the carpets, clean and repair the marble and also the pillars,” Basuki said in the signing ceremony on Thursday, adding that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo came up with the renovation idea last year after a visit to the mosque.

Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin emphasized that the renovation would not disrupt activities at the mosque, especially during the current Ramadan.

He acknowledged, however, that the renovation project might lead to restrictions at several areas of the mosque compound.

“The mosque will not be closed down, it will still serve its function as a place of worship,” he told reporters. “Istiqlal Mosque is vast, the renovation will not be conducted simultaneously but part by part.”

The mosque management has highlighted that the renovation will not reduce the number of people using the mosque or disrupt those observing Ramadan or Idul Fitri.

“Prayers won’t be disrupted. This mosque can hold 200,000 people on the main floor and second floor. The capacity during the renovation will be the same,” Istiqlal Mosque management head Asep Saepudin said.

Public Works and Housing Ministry Cipta Karya Director General Danis H. Sumadilaga echoed the statement saying that the renovation work would start in the ground floor area used for offices and nonreligious activities.

State-owned construction company PT Waskita Karya and state-owned engineering and management consultancy PT Virama Karya have been assigned to work on the project. The renovation is scheduled to be completed by May next year.

The architect of the renovation is Munichy Bachron Edrees, former chairman of the Indonesian Architects Association (IAI) and great-grandson of the founder of Muslim organization Muhammadiyah, Ahmad Dahlan.

The Environment and Forestry Ministry will build a wastewater treatment plant to support the mosque’s operation.

Waskita Karya will also develop a new parking building that will increase the parking capacity from the current 800 to up to 2,000 vehicles.

Many visitors to the mosque on Thursday appreciated the government’s decision to renovate the mosque.

However, some questioned whether starting the project in Ramadan was a wise idea.

“It’ll be disruptive for people fasting and praying at the mosque having to listen to the noise of the renovation,” Deky, 33, a frequent worshipper at the mosque, told the Post.(das)

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