[2][4] At the open end of the U is a series of Arabic-style arches, with Arabic calligraphs of 99 attributes of Allah, stood on 25 pillars, each representing one of the named prophets in Islam.

[3] Beyond the arches is an inscription on a 3.2-metre (10 ft) tall, 7.8 ton stone from Mount Merapi, designed by Nyoman M.

[5] Used for calling Muslims to prayer, the tower also houses a radio station for da'wah and museum at its base and restaurant and observation deck near its summit.

[5] Preparations for the mosque's construction began on 6 June 2001, when the governor of Central Java formed the Coordination Team for the Construction of the Great Mosque (Tim Koordinasi Pembangunan Masjid Agung) which consisted of state bodies such as the provincial and city governments as well as private bodies such as the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).

[3] Construction began on 6 September 2002, when minister of religion Said Agil Husin al-Munawar, head of MUI Sahal Mahfudz, and governor of Central Java Mardiyanto laid the first stake.