Central Jakarta
September 5, 2016

Istiqlal Mosque is the national mosque of Indonesia and is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia. It was opened on February 22, 1978 to commemorate the Indonesian Independence. “Istiqlal” is the Arabic word for “independence”.

The mosque has a rectangular main prayer hall building with 45-meter spherical dome that is supported by 12 round columns in aluminum plates. Its interiors are said to be minimalist in design, with few adornments of geometric ornaments. A large Arabic calligraphy spelling out the name of Allah is found on the right side of the main wall, Muhammad on the left, and the 14th verse of Surah Thaha on the center.

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