Jakarta - A pagoda stood firm like a mosque in the city of Surabaya. His name is Cheng Ho Mosque, built to commemorate the services of Admiral Cheng Ho Muslim. The mosque is very thick with the feel of old China.
History of Admiral Cheng Ho, a Chinese commander who made a large contribution in the spread of Islam in the archipelago since the 15th century began with M. At the time of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1643), Chinese people began to arrive from Yunnan to spread the religion of Islam, particularly in Java.
Admiral Cheng Ho (Admiral Zhang Hee), better known as Sam Poo Kong or Pompu Awang, in 1410 and in 1416 landed on the beach Simongan, Semarang. The arrival of the Muslim admiral as well as Emperor Yung Lo envoy to visit the King of Majapahit to spread Islam. Want to keep the memory of the shape jasanyalah mosque was built.
Which at first glance resembles a pagoda mosque has an area of 231 square meters. The mosque is located in the complex area Multipurpose Building Trustees Imam Islam Tawheed (PITI) of East Java, Surabaya Jalan Gading No. 2. Laying the first stone of the mosque on October 15, 2001, marking the anniversary of Isra 'Mi'raj Prophet Mohammad SAW. While new construction is executed March 10, 2002 and was inaugurated on October 13, 2002.
The mosque is also known by the name of Muhammad Cheng Ho Mosque in Surabaya can accommodate about 200 worshipers. The building stands on a land area of 21 x 11 square meters with a building area of 11 x 9 meter main square. Meaning, the number 11 for the size of the Kaaba at the newly built, number 9 symbolizes the Wali Songo, and the number 8 symbolizes Pat Kwa (fortune / glory in the Chinese language).
Blend of Chinese and Arabic styles characterizes this mosque. The architect was Ir Abdul Aziz of Bojonegoro, East Java. While Cheng Ho Mosque architecture inspired Niu Jie Mosque (Ox Street) in Beijing, China which was built in the year 996 AD. Niu Jie styles seen at the peak of the main roof and crown or mosque. The rest is the result of the integration architecture of the Middle East and the local culture, Java.
Building the mosque predominantly red, green, and yellow. Chinese ornaments nuance long. Entrance resembles the shape of the pagoda, there are also reliefs of dragons and lions lafaz wax with God in Arabic letters at the top of the pagoda. On the left side of the building there is a drum as a complement to the mosque building. Besides Surabaya, Palembang also has no mosque similar to the name of Cheng Ho Mosque or Masjid Al Islam Palembang Muhammad Cheng Ho Sriwijaya Palembang.