Masjid Al Karomah. (Foto: Indonesia Hidden Heritage/IHH)
Al Karamah Mosque. (Photo: Indonesia Hidden Heritage/IHH)

NOT hard to find this mosque. The yellow color that dominates the building makes it easy for me to find it. The building is the Great Mosque of Al Karomah in the City of Martapura, Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan.

The gate with typical Islamic architecture greeted me as I entered the mosque area. Like a gate, its shape resembles a semicircular arc-shaped door.

Under the arch I can see that there are two doors. Motorized vehicles can enter and exit through the gate. other than that, there are also two small doors for pedestrians to enter and exit.

Soko guru or the main pole made of ironwood is the hallmark of the building of the Great Al Karomah Mosque. The main pillar is surrounded by dozens of concrete pillars. Ironwood from the forests of Kalimantan is known to be hard, strong, dark in color and resistant to sea water. The height can reach 50 meters in diameter 120 centimeter.

Masjid Agung Al Karomah is an old mosque. Construction started on 5 December 1897. Since its establishment until now, 4 the main pillar made of ironwood still stands upright in the middle of the mosque.

Ironwood is not only used as a pillar of the teacher. Although not fully using ironwood, roof section, Wall, and the marble floor is combined with this wood. Is the founder, Haji Muhammad Apip or Datu Hedgehog, together with Haji Muhammad Nasir and Haji Muhammad Taher or Datu Kaya who was looking for a katu ulin to be used as a mosque teacher. Once upon a time, The search was carried out in the Barito area, Central Kalimantan.

Savory coconut milk and milk gravy, the mosque which was originally named the Jami Martapura Mosque is always being renovated. However, the main structure never changes.

Even with the pulpit where the preacher preaches. At its age of more than a century it still works well. This pulpit made of white painted wood is one of the silent witnesses to the history of the establishment of the Al Karomah Mosque.

From a distance, This mosque looks magnificent. Its onion-shaped dome is covered with beautiful patterns of blue and green marble. There is 7 dome with 3 the main dome in the nave and 4 smaller domes surround each corner. At the front of the mosque, you can see a tower with a modern architecture. Unlike most towers, the tower resembles a trophy.

As a place of worship as well as a tourist attraction, Al Karomah Mosque is also facilitated with lodging, restaurant, and driver services.

Its strategic position, in the middle of residential areas and Martapura Market, so tourists can find Al Karomah Mosque easily. Curious? Don't forget to visit there if you stop by Martapura.

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