Renovation of Iconic Istiqlal Mosque Completed
The Istiqlal Mosque. Photo by: Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing.
The Government has completed renovation of the iconic Istiqlal Mosque and the mosque will be ready for inauguration before Eid al-Adha.
“I and the Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque have promised President Joko Widodo that the Istiqlal Mosque will be ready for Eid al-Adha. Thank God we can keep the promise,” Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono said when inspecting the renovation of the mosque in Jakarta, Wednesday (22/7).
The scope of the renovation, with a budget of Rp475 billion, includes area renovation, structural work, architectural work, mechanical electrical plumbing (MEP), interior design, and signage.
The area renovation includes area zoning, gates repair, addition of plazas, river bank restoration, basement parking, canteen renovation and more space for street vendors.
The architectural work includes work on facades, floors, walls, frames, windows, doors, ablution rooms, toilets, and bathrooms. The interior design includes the interiors of the main prayer hall, the VIP area and the offices of the mosque management. The MEP work includes improvement of the overall MEP system of the building, installation of solar panels on the lobby roof, and repair of interior and exterior lighting. Signage work includes changing gate signage, outdoor and interior spaces.
To support COVID-19 prevention measures, additional hand washing stations will be provided near the entrance, as well as at street vendor area and other areas.
Meanwhile, the underground tunnel connecting the Istiqlal Mosque with the Jakarta Cathedral is planned to be constructed at the end of this year, with the estimated budget of Rp40 billion.
The largest mosque in Indonesia and Southeast Asia has an area of 91,629 square meters, excluding the river area. The main building, with the size of 80,948 square meters, can accommodate 200,000 people. (Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing/EN)
Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Reviewed by: Mia Medyana
