KEMENAG Medan
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Time Zone Preference:
Rabi Al Thani 1446 - Jumada Al Oula 1446
Medan, the capital and the largest city of the province of North Sumatra in Indonesia is known for its diversity and unique yet fascinating architecture. The third largest city in the country is home to several ethnicities and religions, with Muslims making up 68.3% of the population, followed by other faiths. Moreover, the city also has a fascinating architecture with a blend of colonial Dutch architecture and traditional Indonesian architecture.
Since Muslims make up the majority of Medan's population, you are likely to find many aspects of Islam within the city – starting from mosques, halal cuisine options, Islamic institutes, and more. So, whether you're visiting this fascinating city as a tourist or a resident, you don't need to worry about getting around and adjusting as a Muslim, as every convenience is severely likely to be available nearby. In this city, we will be shortlisting popular mosques, halal cuisine options, and places where you can receive higher Islamic education.
Also known as Masjid Raya Al-Mashun, the Grand Mosque of Medan is one of the most popular and largest mosques in the city of Medan. The mosque was constructed in 1906 and officially started operating in 1909. The mosque has a unique architecture with a fascinating blend of Middle Eastern, Indian, and Spanish architectural elements. With an octagonal shape, the mosque has wings in all four directions from south, east, west, and north. The mosque was developed by Sultan Ma'mun Al Rashid Perkasa Alam – the leader of the Sultanate of Deli. The sultan wanted to build a mosque that was larger and "grander" than his palace. Initially, the mosque was designed by the Dutch architect Theodoor van Erp and eventually handed over to JA Tingdeman.
The mosque has an eight-square-foot plan with an inner chamber, a feature unique to other mosques. It also has a roofed porch in each of its four corners and a main dome. The mosque is divided into a main room, an area for ablution, entry gates, and towers. The mosque has the capacity to accommodate approximately 2,000 people at a time. If you're visiting as a visitor, the Grand Mosque of Medan can provide visitors with an excellent insight into Malay and Islamic culture. While visiting, make sure to dress appropriately for a mosque and remain covered. The mosque may be closed for visitors during prayer times. Therefore, plan your visits accordingly.
The Gang Bengkok Old mosque is another major mosque located in Medan, North Sumatra. The mosque was built by a Captain and merchant from China named Tjong A Fie. The mosque was built in 1885. However, it was renovated and opened to the public in 1889. Tjong A. Fie later handed over the mosque to the Deli Sultanate. The Gang Bengkok mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Medan. The architecture of the mosque is rather interesting as it is a unique blend of Malay and Chinese architecture. Many also consider the architecture to be inspired by Chinese temples. The ceiling of the mosque, however, reflects the Malay culture as they're decorated with Lebah Bergantung. The mosque is mostly decorated with wood.
The oldest mosque in Medan, North Sumatra, the Al-Osmani Mosque, is also known as Labuhan Mosque. It gets this name from its location in the main Labuhan district of Medan. The mosque was constructed in 1854 by the 7th Deli Sultan Sultan Osman Perkasa Alam by use of wood. The mosque is said to have been renovated from 1870 to 1872 and turned into a concrete building to accommodate more worshippers. The mosque is also famously used for memorials, celebrating Islamic religious holidays such as Eid, and a place where pilgrims to Mecca usually depart from.
The mosque has gone through several renovations over time and was even handed over to Dutch designers for renovations. However, the original architecture still stays intact, and the mosque's architecture is inspired by Malay, Indian, Spanish, Middle Eastern, and Chinese architecture. The mosque has a Chinese-inspired ornate door, Indian-like building carvings with Middle-Eastern ornaments, and Spanish-style architecture. The mosque, being the oldest in Medan, is a must-visit for tourists and visitors interested in exploring Medan's culture. Make sure to dress appropriately upon your visit and remain covered. The mosque may be closed for visitation during prayer times. So, adjust your visit accordingly.
If you're worried about finding halal food options in Medan, don't be! The city may be highly diverse, but it is easy to find halal cuisine within the city. Here are some options we recommend trying when you're visiting the city:
Although the city does not have many Islamic educational institutes, the State Islamic University of North Sumatra is a renowned state university that offers a variety of courses in Islamic studies.
Established in 1973, the university is the only Islamic university in North Sumatra. The university also provides a college education with Islamic education. The university has two campuses:
| Fajr | Duhur | Asr | Maghrib | Isha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04:52 | 12:12 | 15:33 | 18:12 | 19:22 |