Sorong is one of the largest cities in West Papua and the second largest city in Papua after Jayapura. Grand Mosque named Masjid Raya Al-Akbar Sorong is an outstanding mosque in Sorong. This mosque is located in the middle of Sorong City.
Sorong City
This mosque can be found on Jl. Ahmad Yani, No. 40 Sorong City. Masjid Raya Sorong is the city’s largest mosque. There are a lot of Muslim visitors that come here to prayer or just to look around.
Masjid Raya Al-Akbar Sorong is the Sorong City which is a strategic location since it serves as an entry and exit point as well as a transit point to West Papua. Because it is strategic, making Sorong City a place of industrial, suit, and commerce centers.
Furthermore, the city of Sorong is also bordered by areas with abundant natural resources, attracting a large number of foreign and local investors.
Islamic civilization in Sorong, Papua
Islam first entered the land of Maluku before entering the area of Papua. From there, Islam began to infiltrate and spread in the Raja Ampat area, which is located in the Sorong and Onin Peninsulas in the Fakfak district of West Papua province.
It all started in 1606 with Sultan Bacan, one of Maluku’s kings, expanding his dominion to the Onin Peninsula in western Papua.
Inhabitants throughout his dominion, including West Papua, began to adopt the teachings of Islam under the influence of the Sultan Bacan and Muslim traders, however the inland people still believed and followed to animism.
As a result, Islam began to spread rapidly in West Papua over time. With the establishment of Islamic civilisation in Papua, Pesantren began to develop as a venue for the surrounding population. To learn greater Islamic religious knowledge.
The mosque building will become active and alive with the Pesantren because of religious activities that are always used to develop children into human beings who are taqwa and respect the religion of Islam.
Sorong Muslim’s Symbol
Muslims in Sorong, West Papua, have been eager to acquire and enhance their understanding of Islam since Islam’s arrival. As part of their commitment to Islam, they built a mosque in West Papua. Because the mosque is a symbol of Muslim worship.
The mayor of Sorong Lambert Jitmau and his community began to build the Masjid Raya Al-Akbar as a Sorong Muslim prayer location. The structure is thought to be the biggest mosque in the Sorong region of West Papua.
Masjid Raya Al-Akbar Sorong has become a landmark mosque in West Papua. Because, in addition to the enormous and majestic architecture, it is thought to be evidence. That the city of Sorong is experiencing progress.
Sorong wanted 72 billion to re-build a biggest mosque, but money gathered so far have only reached 29 billion.
The opening of donations to the people of West Papua, particularly the Sorong district, is expected to fulfil the budget of donations that are still needed for the construction of the Masjid Raya Sorong.
With that amount of money, the Masjid Raya Al-Akbar Sorong will be built in four floors. To accommodate up to 8,000 Muslim worshippers. In addition, the Masjid Raya Sorong will have elevators and escalators, as well as accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Conclusion Masjid Raya Al Akbar Sorong (West Papua)
The Masjid Raya Sorong has been around since 1973. However, as Islam develops and the population grows, the Masjid Raya Sorong must be restored in order. To maintain its aesthetic value and accommodate a large number of worshippers.
The Masjid Raya Al-Akbar Sorong, as an icon of Muslims in the West, is expected to accommodate more worshippers who are doing prayers.
