Mosque architecture in Indonesia
Minaret was not introduced to full extent until the 19th century, and its introduction was accompanied by the importation of architectural styles of Persian and Ottoman origin with the prominent usage of calligraphy and geometric patterns.
During this time, many of the older mosques built in traditional style were renovated, and small domes were added to their square hipped roofs.
The advent of Islam did not lead to the introduction of a new building tradition but saw the appropriation of existing architectural forms, which were reinterpreted to suit Muslim requirements.
While many of the earliest Islamic structures in Java and almost all of them in Sumatra did not survive,[1] primarily due to the effects of climate on decayable building materials, the permanent structure was not considered a priority for Muslim prayer, as any clean and open space could accommodate communal prayers.
Early Islamic palaces retain many features of pre-Islamic architecture which is apparent in the gates or drum towers.
Two of the Hindu features adopted into Islam in the Palace are the two types of gateways - the split portal (candi bentar) which provides access to the public audience pavilion and the lintel gate (paduraksa) which leads to the frontcourt.
[citation needed] Domes and pointed arches, well-known features in central, south and southwest Asia did not appear in Indonesia until the 19th century when they were introduced by Dutch influence over local rulers.
Indonesian scholars became familiar with the Near Eastern influence as they began to visit Islamic centers in Egypt and India.
[6] After the establishment of the Republic of Indonesia, many older mosques built in traditional style were renovated and small domes were added to their square hipped roofs.
President Suharto contributed to this trend during the 1980s by instigating the Amal Bakti Muslim Pancasila Foundation which subsidized the erection of small mosques in less prosperous communities.
Most mosques in Indonesia today follows the Near Eastern influence e.g. Persian, Arabic, or Ottoman style architecture.
[8] Minarets were not introduced into Java until the 19th century so that in a one-storeyed mosque, the call to prayer is made from the attached serambi.
In several of the oldest mosques, one of these pillars is made of wooden splinters held together by metal bands (the significance of which is unknown).
The mihrab niche is made of brick and is highly decorated with deep wood-carving derived from the pre-Islamic art of the area.
Early prints show it as a structure with wide-hipped roofs similar to those of a mosque still standing in the 17th-century citadel of Sultan Iskandar Muda.
[citation needed] Islam came to Maluku in the late 15th century via Java, with the strongest impact was felt in the spice islands of Ternate and Tidore.
