After Tsunami struck Banda Acheh on Boxing Day 2004 about seven (7) years ago, the wife and I toured Banda Acheh with Al Mukminin Travel & Tours from 22 Jan to 25 Jan 2012.
We eagerly wanted to see the impact of the Tsunami and the Greatness of Allah. It was great to be in Acheh also known as “Serambi Mekah” (Porch of Mekah) where Islam first started in the Nusantara (South East Asia) region. It was brought down by the Arabian and the Indian Sub Continent seafarer merchants. It also acted as the transit point of Indonesian Muslims Pilgrims by sea on their way to Mekah.
The most prominent landmark in the centre of Banda Acheh is the elegant Masjid Raya Baitulrrahman and we took the opportunity to pray inside the Mosque and recited our Al Fatihah to those who perished during the disaster.
The Mosque was designed by an Italian architect and built by the Dutch colonial administration as a token of reconciliation following their destruction of an older Mosque during the Aceh wars. Construction of the Mosque commenced in 1879 and was completed in 1881. The mosque survived the massive 2004 tsunami which destroyed much of the rest of the city of Banda Aceh.
Masjid Raya Baiturrahman/Grand Mosque, Baiturrahman is a great Mosque located at the heart of Banda Aceh, The Mosque has five black coloured domes and white four minarets. The Mosque stands upon an elegantly green landscape. The white washed walls and minerals and charcoal blacks domes of the Grand Mosque are the most famous landmark in Aceh. The original Mosque was built in 12 Century during the Sultanate of Iskandar Muda (1607 – 1635) and caught fire several time including during a Dutch attack upon Kutaraja (Banda Aceh) in 1873. A replacement Mosque was built by the Dutch military government and was completed in 1883. The Mosque is extraordinary in architecture and ornamentation. It has five onion shaped domes, two tall minarets, wide white walls and decoratively ornamented pillars.
The most unique about this Mosque is surrounded by a small drain of nonstop flowing water. As Jemaah want to step onto the steps into the Mosque, the Jemaah will dip their legs into the flowing water to ensure their legs are thoroughly clean. I have been to several Mosques during my visits to some parts of the world and this was the first time I saw such feature exists. I think it is an excellent idea. Even Mosques in Saudi Arabia does not have such feature.
During my visit to this Mosque the potential candidate for Governor of Banda Acheh was about to deliver his “tazkirah” aired Live via the local Television. It is for the Banda Achenese to decide and voted in the best potential Governor candidate with the best knowledge of Islamic theologies. Further than that the potential candidate must also capable reciting and interpreting the Al Quraan.
The interior of the Mosque is very cooling and it is spiritually peaceful to connect oneself with Allah. Insyaalah on the 10th Anniversary of 2004 Tsunami I would like to revisit this Mosque.
To all my Muslim readers, I fully recommend to make a visit to this Mosque. Allah saved the Mosque during the 2004 Tsunami. It remained intact where the Banda Achenese ran into seeking refuge and they were all spared. Masyaallah!!! Surrounding buildings collapsed to the ground and washed away. That was the Greatness of Allah. Kun fayakun - It will happen when Allah want it to happen.
Other landmarks that we visited in Banda Acheh will follow suit.
The signage.
Seen from outside.
The Mehrab & Mimbar.
The Grandfather's Clock.
The chandelier.
Me in the Mosque.
Wife in the Mosque.
Wife & Wan Dahlia.
Serina, Wife, Wan Dahlia and Cik Gu Hasnah.
Wife & Wan Dahlia.
Wife at outside rear of the Mosque.
The Arch through the fencing.
Me & wife in front of rear minaret.
The beautiful architecture.
Me & wife at the Mosque rear.
Elegant and beautiful architecture. Very strong that could stand an earthquake and tsunami that followed.
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