Work of this mosque was started
on August 4, 1995, marked by the laying of the cornerstone by the Vice
President try Sutrisno and officially declared by President KH Abdurrahman
Wahid on November 10, 2000.
Physically the mosque with it's
supporting facilities has been built on an expanse of 22,300 square meters with
a length of 147 meters and width of 128 meters. The form of its roof is a large
dome supported by 4 small pyramid shaped domes and a tower. The dome of Al-Akbar
mosque looks different from the usual shape and colour of the domes in general
in Indonesia .
The shape of this dome is unique in that its shape looks like the shape of a
half of an egg with 1.5 layer of about 27 meters high. It stands on pyramid cut
into 2 layers of about 11 meters high with a 54m x 54m diameters. The joint of
the curved and smooth surface causes a complicated problem among others because
of the possibility of a bigger decrease of the structure. Nevertheless, this
problem has been overcome by a team of professionals by using sophisticated
implanting equipment. The dome is covered with a product used by several great
mosques, among others the Masjid Raya Selangor in Syah Alam. And the result ?
You can see a dome of 200 tons, sturdy, unique and beautiful. An elegant space
frame that makes the Al-Akbar National Mosque Surabaya look calm, shady,
spacious and comfortable.
Another superior quality of
Al-Akbar mosque is the distinguished patterns of carvings and calligraphy that
decorate various elements of the building. The moment a visitor set foot on the
entrace of the mosque, 45 carved teakwood doors would welcome him. A large drum
used to summon people to prayer called a "bedug" is put in the front
terrace.
The beauty of the mosque is one
important consideration in the process of building the Al-Akbar mosque. One of
the supporting factors to the beauty of the mosque is the illumination or the
lighting of the building, the yard, the park, the dome as well as the tower.
Another beauty support is the interior elements like stained glass made by
triple glazed unit system i.e. stained glass panel layers or panel bevel with
tempered glass using American made materials and machinery. This triple glazed
unit is not only energy saving but also very good to muffle the disturbing
noise.
Another beauty touch to enhance the elegance of Al-Akbar mosque is the painting and finishing touch. In the process of this finishing touch is the elegant colour which gives a serene aroma to Al-Akbar mosque. All points are given harmonious colours with dominant bright colours which resulted in a calm, elegant and pleasant appearance from all sides : a condition that is needed to attain a point of concentration when appearing before Illahi Robbi in praying. These elegant bright colours are in general similar to the colouring of the mosques in the ancient time. If there were any differences then it would only be in the personal touch and the advanced technology.
Another beauty touch to enhance the elegance of Al-Akbar mosque is the painting and finishing touch. In the process of this finishing touch is the elegant colour which gives a serene aroma to Al-Akbar mosque. All points are given harmonious colours with dominant bright colours which resulted in a calm, elegant and pleasant appearance from all sides : a condition that is needed to attain a point of concentration when appearing before Illahi Robbi in praying. These elegant bright colours are in general similar to the colouring of the mosques in the ancient time. If there were any differences then it would only be in the personal touch and the advanced technology.
