One of the icons of the city of Jakarta and the largest mosque in South East Asia both in structure and capacity at the same time. Stands out with its 45 meters diameter dome, supported by 12 huge columns, has 4 levels of balcony, the mosque able to accomodate congregation up to 120.000 people. Designed in 1954 by a christian architect from North Sumatra, Frederich Silaban, and innagurated in 1978. Istiqlal itself is located right across the Cathedral Church. Istiqlal meaning “independence” is a reminder of Indonesia’s struggle for national independence as well as a symbol of religious tolerance.
