TIMESINDONESIA, JAKARTA – Katangka Mosque, which is also known as Al Hilal Katangka Mosque, is the oldest mosque in South and West Sulawesi. This mosque was built in 1603 in the reign of the King of Gowa XIV, I Mangarangi Daeng Manrabbia Sultan Alauddin.
Sultan Alaudin is the first Islamic King of Gowa. He spread Moslem religion to South and West Sulawesi, which initiated the construction of this mosque.
Katangka Mosque derived its name from Katangka trees that were growing around the mosque. This mosque was also made of Katangka wood. Katangka Mosque is located in Katangka, Somba Opu sub-district, Gowa.
Katangka wood was used to build the podium of the mosque. The podium was carved by Karaeng Katangka and Tumailalang Lolo.
This mosque is 12 m x 12 m vast. The building has various types of architectural styles from various cultures from China, Portuguese, the Middle East, Java, and Makassar.
The main four pillars of the mosque with convex cylinder shape adopt the European architectural styles. Meanwhile, the roof of the mosque resembles pagoda. However, if it is seen from the outside, this mosque looks to have one qubba (dome in Arabic).
This mosque has six windows and five doors which symbolize the basic acts in Islam. The two-layered roof represents the two Shahada (Islamic creed), while the four pillars represent four friends of the Prophet.
There is a burial place of the King, His family, the royal courtiers of Gowa Kingdom, and ulama around the mosque.
This burial place in Katangka Mosque is also meant exclusively for the Imams. (*)
**) Ikuti berita terbaru TIMES Indonesia di Google News klik link ini dan jangan lupa di follow.
Advertisement
| Publisher | : Sofyan Saqi Futaki |
