Al-Karomah Grand Mosque

Al-Karomah Grand Mosque is located in Martapura, Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan and is the largest mosque in South Kalimantan. This mosque is also a land landmark of Martapura because it is easily accessible from all cities in South Kalimantan and is located on Jalan Ahmad Yani which is the main road (national road) between cities, especially from East Kalimantan (north direction) to Banjarmasin City.

In terms of architecture, the shape and structure of the first buiding of Al-Karomah Grand Mosque followed the Demak Grand Mosque made by Sunan Kalijaga as the miniature was brought and the size was very neat and easy to adjust to the actual building because it has been scaled

The mosque has undergone several renovations over time and currently follows the shape of a modern building. In the past, the name was Jami’ Martapura Mosque. It was made of ironwood and featured a shingle roof, walls and floors of ironwood planks. Originally the roof of the mosque was conical with an overlapping roof construction, in the style of a traditional Banjar mosque.

Today, the architecture of Al-Karomah Grand Mosque, which cost Rp. 27 billion in the last renovation around 2004, adopted many Middle Eastern forms such as the onion dome roof and Dutch style ornaments. The mosque looks more modern with concrete construction and its roof frame is made of stainless steel, which is assembled in a space frame structure. The domes have the colour of parakeet green and the walls are dominated by beige colour. The mosque even has a unique tower (minaret) located in front of it.

Inside the mosque, until now the main structure of the Martapura Grand Mosque can still be found and seen, which has not been dismantled, so it can be seen as historical evidence of the founding of the mosque. The four pillars of Ulin which represented a relic of the first mosque building, are still being maintained amidst dozens of concrete pillars that spread throughout the mosque. The pulpit which is more than a century old is still functioning, where the pulpit of the mosque designed by HM Musyafa has carved flower strands and is in the form of a stage equipped with stairs.

As the center of the Banjar Kingdom , Martapura was recorded as witnessing 12 ruling sultans . At that time the mosque functioned as a place of worship, Islamic da'wah, integration of Muslims and the headquarters or fortress of the fighters against the Dutch. Due to the burning of Kampung Pasayangan and the Martapura Mosque, a desire arose to build a bigger mosque. In 1280 Hijriyah or 1863 AD, the construction of the mosque began.

The Great Mosque of Al Karomah, formerly known as the Jami' Martapura Mosque , which was founded by the mosque construction committee, namely HM. Nasir, H.M. Taher (Datu Rich), HM. Afif (Datu Hedgehog) . This committee was supported by Raden Tumenggung Kesuma Yuda and Mufti HM Noor.

According to his history, Datuk Landak was entrusted with looking for ironwood as a pillar of the mosque, to the Barito area, Central Kalimantan . After the ulin pole is at the location of the mosque building, it is agreed.

Exactly 10 Rajab 1315 H ( 5 December 1897 AD) the construction of the Jami' Mosque began. Technically the mosque building is a building with the main structure of ironwood with shingle roofs, ironwood plank walls and floors. Along with the changing times from time to time the mosque is always being renovated, but the main structure has not changed. [2]

Monday night 12 Rabiul Awal 1415 H in celebration of the birthday of the Great Prophet Muhammad SAW , the Jami' Martapura Mosque was inaugurated as the Great Al Karomah Mosque with a size of 37.5 meters x 37.5 meters.

Currently the Great Mosque of Al Karomah stands majestically with concrete construction and the roof frame is made of stainless steel , which is strung in a space frame structure . The dome is covered with enamel.

Inside the mosque, until now one can still find and see the main structure of the Jami Martapura Mosque which was not dismantled, so that it can be seen as historical evidence from the founding of the mosque.