Syuhada Mosque

A. Overview

Syuhada Mosque is a witness of the history of how Yogyakarta Muslims struggled for national independence. On August 17^th 1950 in Yogyakarta, kiblah (the direction to which Muslims turn in praying) was settled upon a land on which later the mosque was constructed. Syuhada Mosque is built to provide Muslims with a place of worship and especially to honor them for their service for society and the state. Furthermore, the mosque is also a monument for commemorating the syuhada (martyrs) who died for their country, the Republic of Indonesia.

On September 23^rd 1950 (Dhu al-Hijja 11^th 1369), the same day with the Eid al-Adha Holiday, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX, the King of Yogyakarta Sultanate and Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia, set the first stone to commence the construction of the mosque. Two years later, on September 20^th 1952, the project was completed and inaugurated by Indonesian President Ir. Soekarno. The inauguration day coincided with the new year of Hijri or Muharram 1^st 1372.

The building of Syuhada Mosque was initiated by Mr. Assaat (Head of the Mosque Construction Commitee) and a number of Soekarno’s ministers such as Mr. Syarifudin Prawiranegara, K.H. Wahid Hasyim, K.H. Masykur, Z.A. Ahmad, and some others. The building also marked the movement of Indonesian capital from Jakarta to Yogyakarta on January 6^th 1946.

Now, Syuhada Mosque stands as an important historical monument for Indonesia. Unlike other monuments in general, which were often built upon ceremonial motive and so do not have a real meaning, this mosque is not a mere building with its religious, historical, and architectural values.

The mosque has three floors and can be a place for Muslims to do some activities aside from being a place of worship. Even in the basement, people can hold a class, course, or some other indoor works.

Syuhada Mosque was built in a modern architecture that reminds people of those martyrs. It slightly resembles the architecture of Borobudur, which has three floors, Kamadatu, Rupadatu, and Arupadatu. It was designed by the building committee while the construction was handled by the head of the committee Supono, under the auspices of Technical Advisor Ir. R. Feenstra from N.V. Associate, Jakarta.

B. Features

Syuhada is a mosque that combines various architectural styles. Apart from Islamic symbols in every part of it, the dome of the mosque adopts the shape of Persian and Indian domes. The main dome is round and surrounded by four other domes, one in each corner.

Some of the mosque parts contain symbols of candrasengkala (Javanese calendar) that marks the day of Indonesian independence. There are 17 steps in the front staircase, 8 pillars on the front gate, 4 small domes at the lower roof, and 5 domes at the upper roof. They signify Indonesia, that declared its independence on 17-8-45 (August 17^th 1945), that stands upright facing the Kiblah.

The mosque has three floors. The first floor is for classroom with 20 windows, symbolization of 20 characters of Allah. The second floor is used for praying for women. There are two pillars inside as if they support the building. The pillars symbolize the two objectives of every man’s life: to lead a good life in this world and to be in Heaven in the afterlife. The third floor functions as the main hall for praying, including for Friday prayer. Above the chamber for the imam, there are five ventilation holes as a symbolization of the five obligatory Muslim duties.

Syuhada has also been a tourism object quite interesting to visit, not only for those who have an emotional bond with the building, but also the young people who actually need to learn a lot about how their predecessors struggled for their country and to appreciate art and culture. The religious, historical, architectural, and educational aspects of the mosque are what make the site worth-visiting.

Yogyakarta is a city of heterogeneous society. Young people come from various ethnic groups to the city to study. Thus, the activities in the mosque could not help having the spirit of youth, i.e. energetic and also, patriotic. Even the sermon theme is in accordance with youth thought, balanced between general and religious matters, between life and afterlife, and between knowledge and faith. The sermon is usually delivered in Indonesian language to make it understandable for everyone.

C. Location

Syuhada Mosque is situated on the bank of Code River in Kotabaru neighborhood, I Nyoman Dewa Oka Street, Yogyakarta.

D. Access

Syuhada is easy to find as long as you are in Kotabaru area or more precisely at the bank of Code River. But from Adi Sucipto Airport, it takes more or less 20 minutes to get there while from Tugu Train Station only 5 or 10 minutes.

E. Ticket

There is no charge to get into the mosque.

F. Accommodations and Other Facilities

Like other mosque, Syuhada provides visitors with hygienic bathrooms. There are also shoe-shelf, conference room, meeting room, management office, and modern audio equipment such as loudspeaker and a sound studio, making it possible to relay or record speeches, sermons, or azan.

In the complex, there are also Quran study club, Kid Education Center (PAMS), Cadre Education Center (PKMS), kindergarten, elementary school, Islamic seminary (CDMS), and the Yogyakarta Women Islamic Discussion Forum (PPY).

Text: Andreas Eko Wahyu S.
Photos: Collection of Jogjatrip.com
Translation: Reza Daffi
(Primary data and various sources)

If you are from outside Yogyakarta and want to visit this place by travel agency services,
please contact:

Maharatu Tour and Travel

Jl. Sisingamangaraja No. 27 Yogyakarta.
Telp. +62 274 8373005. Fax. +62 274 379250
Email : maharatu@maharatu.com -maharatu257@yahoo.com
Website : www.maharatu.com

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