A replica of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque will be constructed in Solo, Central Java province, also the hometown of Indonesian President Joko Widodo. The duplication of the UAE’s largest mosque was gifted to Widodo during the visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan to Jakarta in July 2019. His visit to Indonesia was the first by a UAE leader since that of his father Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan back in 1990, reported Arab News.
“The mosque will be almost 100% similar to the one in Abu Dhabi, but it will also incorporate some Indonesian ornaments and will maximise the use of local materials,” said Husin Bagis, Indonesia’s ambassador to the UAE. Moreover, the mosque is set to be built on a 3-hectare plot and will feature four minarets, with the main dome surrounded by smaller domes. It will hold a capacity of 10,000 worshippers. The construction of the mosque is being entirely financed by the UAE.
Bagis mentioned the mosque could become a major religious tourism destination in the Muslim-majority Southeast Asian country. “Now worshippers can go to Solo to marvel at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque’s splendour,” he added. The $20 million mosque project is expected open doors in September 2022.
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“The mosque, which has a contemporary historical value, will be dedicated to all Muslims and will be managed by the Indonesian government,” continued Bagis. The mosque premises will also include an Islamic centre to provide UAE-sponsored training for clerics to promote religious education. In October 2020, one of the roads in Abu Dhabi’s diplomatic quarters was renamed President Joko Widodo Street. The Indonesian ambassador said, “Following the grand mosque construction in Solo, the UAE will also construct a mosque named after President Widodo on a location near President Joko Widodo Street.”
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