If you are looking for a place to spend the Ramadan even if just for a day, you should seriously consider visiting Jakarta, Indonesia. Jakarta is known for its vibrant lifestyle, and it has a lot to offer to its tourists.
As the capital city as well as one of the most populated cities in Indonesia, Jakarta is home to some amazing spots which are specifically of interest to Muslims. Without further ado, the following are the recommended spots for your first enjoyable Ramadan day in Jakarta.
- Visit Istiqlal Mosque
Istiqlal Mosque is recognized as the largest mosque in Indonesia and is even claimed to be the largest mosque in Southeast Asia. Constructed in 1978, the Istiqlal mosque is a beautiful site and one of the most famous buildings in Jakarta. With a massive capacity of up to 200,000, the mosque features various decorative features and a marble courtyard.
Once inside the mosque, you get to experience the captivating architecture, which includes vast columns holding up the central dome and walls with Islamic iconography and reliefs. Visit this magnificent mosque in your first Ramadan day in Jakarta and reignite your Islamic belief. You can even wait till iftar and enjoy the free snacks dished out by the mosque's caretakers as you interact with the locals. - Savor Sumptuous Iftar Snacks at Bendungan Hilir Street
Bendungan Hilir Street is where you can get snacks of all sorts. Famous for being a seasonal market of snacks during Ramadan, the street has an assortment of delicious iftar snacks that you can enjoy as you stroll. During Ramadan, the street is open once the sun sets so the majority of Muslim locals and tourists can enjoy a delicious snack as they break the fast. You can head on to this street in the late afternoon and savor the many Indonesian bites, which include the fried spring rolls (risoles), kolak, and even meals like fried chicken. The great thing about this market is that all the foods are affordable. - Visit Cut Meutia Mosque
Located at the heart of Jakarta, the Cut Meutia Mosque is a beautiful Muslim place of worship that features both Dutch architecture and Islamic calligraphy. Originally used as a Dutch office, the mosque can accommodate as much as 3,000 people. You can visit this mosque and have the Taraweeh prayer after visiting the Istiqlal mosque.
The beautiful mosque, which also serves as a historical site, is famously known for being a transit mosque for workers or commuters who are on their way home. The mosque holds 11 Rakaat and kultum (7 minutes recitation) for about half an hour. - Visit the Sunda Kelapa Mosque
This is yet another beautiful and historical mosque that is bound to make your Ramadan day. The mosque is located in Menteng, an upper-class area comprising of homes of Indonesian officials. The construction of the mosque took about three years (from 1969 to 1971), and it was built to resemble a large ship in remembrance of the Muslim traders who first spread Islam in Jakarta.
From the above information, it is clear that you are going to enjoy your first Ramadan day in Jakarta. Therefore, be sure to check out the recommended spots above once you get to Jakarta.
