Banda Aceh, Indonesia
Coordinates: 5.553610, 95.317190
Baiturrahman Grand Mosque is a Mosque located in the center of Banda Aceh city, Aceh Province, Indonesia.
The Baiturrahman Grand Mosque is a symbol of religion, culture, spirit, strength, struggle and nationalism of the Acehnese people.
The mosque is a landmark of Banda Aceh and has survived the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
When the Colonial administration of the Dutch East Indies attacked the Kraton During the First Aceh Expedition on 10 April 1873, the Acehnese attacked the KNIL from the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque.
From some flares shot onto the thatched roof, the mosque caught fire.
General van Swieten promised the local rulers he would rebuild the mosque and create a warm place for mercy. In 1879 the Dutch rebuilt the Mosque Baiturrahman as a gift to — and to reduce the anger of — the Acehnese.
Construction only began in 1879, when the first stone was laid by Tengku Qadhi Malikul Adil, who became its first imam, and was completed on 27 December 1881 during the reign of Muhammad Daud Syah, the last sultan of Aceh.
Many Acehnese initially refused to pray at Baiturrahman because it was built by the Dutch, whom they were warring against. Nowadays, however, it is a source of pride for Banda Aceh.
Before 1935, the new Baiturrahman Grand Mosque featured one dome and one minaret. More domes and minarets were added in 1935, 1958 and 1982. Today the mosque has seven domes and eight minarets, including the highest in Banda Aceh.
Baiturrahman is one of most visited mosque by Muslim during month of Ramadan
Survived the 2004 earthquake and tsunami
The mosque survived the 2004 earthquake and tsunami with minor damages such as wall cracks. The earthquake had slightly tilted and cracked the 35-meter minaret by the main gate.
During the disaster, the mosque served as a temporary shelter for displaced persons and only reopened for prayers after two weeks.
Know This
Great mosque, great architecture, good services, good parking system and location, recommended for history and religion tourism destination.
To get to this place is really easy with Grab car or Go-Jek. Try to be there close to maghrib prayer time so that you could capture the beauty of this mosque in different lighting.
For ladies, you are not allowed to go in if you are wearing pants and you will be given some cloth to cover your pants. The mosque area is spacious and lots of local people here, for prayer and visiting purposes.
