TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Entering the last ten nights of Ramadan, the atmosphere in the mosque changes. Congregants no longer just come for tarawih, but spend the night, extend their prayers, and wait for a night that is believed to be better than a thousand months.
Jakarta has a number of large mosques for worshipers who wish to carry out Itikaf with adequate facilities and an atmosphere that supports solemnity.
I'tikaf, or simply just 'Itikaf', is defined as remaining silent in the mosque, generally often done during the month of Ramadan. Itikaf is carried out for a certain period of time to worship with special conditions, such as distancing oneself from worldly affairs to get closer to Allah SWT.
Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, has a number of large mosques for worshipers who wish to carry out Itikaf with adequate facilities and an atmosphere that supports solemnity.
Here are the mosques recommended for Itikaf:
1. Istiqlal Mosque
As the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, the Istiqlal Mosque is the main magnet for Itikaf worshipers. The very large main prayer room allows thousands of people to spend the night without feeling crowded, although on odd nights the number of worshipers can be very dense.
The carpet is thick and comfortable for sitting or resting for a while. Air conditioning and great ventilation keep it comfortable all night long. During itikaf, congregational night prayers (qiyamul lail), Quran recitation (tadarus), religious studies (study), and a communal sahur (pre-dawn meal) are usually held, provided by the committee, although the capacity is limited to approximately 400.
The toilets and ablution areas are plentiful and regularly cleaned, although queues still form before the pre-dawn meal. The mosque is easily accessible, as it is located in the city center and close to the TransJakarta bus stop and the Juanda commuter line station.
2. Sunda Kelapa Grand Mosque
The Sunda Kelapa Grand Mosque provides Itikaf services along with sahur (suhoor) meals for the congregation. The building is spacious with high ceilings and the interior is comfortably carpeted. Congregants typically bring extra sleeping mats for overnight stays.
The Itikaf program includes night studies, congregational tadarus, qiyamul lail, and a communal sahur, managed by the committee. In addition to the Itikaf program, the Sunda Kelapa Grand Mosque held a prayer room revitalization program, Anjangsana Sosial Riska (ANSOR) on March 8th, and a special program for children, Ramadan For Kids.
The restrooms and ablution facilities are clean and adequate, although queues can form around dawn. Access is easy from various areas of Central and South Jakarta. Access is available via the Dukuh Atas bus stop or Manggarai station, or get off at Cikini station and take a motorcycle taxi.
3. Al-Azhar Grand Mosque
The Al-Azhar Grand Mosque in Kebayoran Baru is known for its well-organized Ramadan activities and comprehensive facilities. The complex is spacious with a large parking area, making it easy for worshippers to come with their Itikaf (seclusion) equipment.
The mosque's air-conditioned interior, thick carpeting, and warm lighting create a comfortable atmosphere for evening prayers. During the last ten nights, there are usually a series of activities such as a midnight sermon, congregational Qiyamul Lail (recitation of the Quran), Quran recitation (Quran recitation), and communal sahur (pre-dawn meal).
The restrooms and ablution facilities are also clean and well-maintained. Its location is strategic; if using public transportation, you can get off at the ASEAN MRT station or the Grand Mosque bus stop.
4. Baiturrahman Mosque, Pondok Pinang
The Baiturrahman Mosque offers Itikaf services. Although the mosque is not particularly large, it is comfortable enough for worshippers who wish to spend the night. The prayer area is clean and the carpets are well-maintained, and worshippers usually bring extra sleeping mats.
Evening activities usually include dhikr (recitation of the Qur'an), tadarus (recitation of the Qur'an), and congregational Qiyamul Lail (prayer for the night). The location is in the Pondok Pinang residential area, so it is relatively quiet at night. This is suitable for those who want to observe Itikaf in a less crowded environment.
5. At-Tin Mosque, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII)
The At-Tin Mosque in the TMII area boasts magnificent architecture with a large dome and a very spacious main hall. Its capacity can accommodate large numbers of worshippers, making it a popular choice for Itikaf, especially on odd-numbered nights.
The thick carpet and spacious room allow worshippers to worship comfortably even if they bring overnight supplies.
The Itikaf program usually includes evening sermons, qiyamul Lail (recitation of the Qur'an), tadarus (recitation of the Qur'an), and communal sahur or suhoor (pre-dawn meal). Because the location is in a more spacious area than the city center, the evening atmosphere is calmer and less noisy.
The restrooms and ablution facilities are adequate, although the congregation remains large on some nights. Access to the mosque is quite easy, you can take Transjakarta and get off at the At-Tin Mosque non-BRT stop.
Read: Ramadan Activities at Jakarta's Istiqlal Mosque
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