Cheng Ho Great Mosque - Surabaya

Cheng Ho Mosque

Cheng Ho Mosque Surabaya, is located in Gading Street Surabaya. This mosque is having oriental architecture with delicate art in here and there symbolizing the mix culture of Chinese culture, Javanese and Islam. Those mix cultures are shown in the mixture colors between green, turn to yellow and red.

The building is typical of Chinese architecture base combine with Javanese 'Joglo'. This shows the mixture between Chinese cultures and Java, which have intertwined since former time. Cheng Ho mosque was taken from the name of Admiral Cheng Ho, an Admiral from China and became a Moslem during his admission to Majapahit Empire.

Cheng Ho Mosque inspired from Niu Jei Mosque in Beijing, China, which was built in 996 A.D. The development of new Cheng Ho mosque executed by 10 March 2002 and has been opened in 13 Octobers 2002. Overall, the mosque is capable to accommodate 200 pilgrims.

Relating the interior, there are Chinese ornaments in here and there of the mosque. For instance, there is Pagoda look like at the entrance gate. There is also dragon and lion relief made from wax with the word of Allah made in Arabic letter at the top of Pagoda. On the left side of the building, there is Bedug or Islamic Drum that always be part of most Mosque.

This mosque building has eight sides on the top building. Every numbers has its own meaning according to the Islamic and chinese believe. Number 11 symbolizing new Ka'bah measure that just built. Number nine is depicting 'Wali Songo' as Islam spreader in Java Island. While figure of eight symbolize pat kwa that mean luck or glorious.



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