West Papua may be predominantly Christian. However, just because Muslims are not the majority in the region, this does not mean they have no houses of worship that are open to the public. In fact, they do have one, though. Let’s check out Masjid Tua Patimburak, the very first mosque on this island.
The First Mosque in West Papua For Muslims
Per June 2020, there are 54% of Christians in West Papua and 38.06% of Muslims in the same region. In Kokas, Fakfak, we can find the very first mosque in the region. It is called Masjid Tua Patimburak.
This mosque is one of the historical relics of Islam in Papua. It is also one of the centers of Islam in the Regency of Fakfak. Islam came to Fakfak in 1870 during the reign of Sultan Bacan of Tidore.
Bacan is the oldest of the royal descendants of Moloku Kie Raha (The Union of The Four Kingdoms). The four kingdoms mentioned in the union are Makian, Jailolo, Ternate, and Tidore. Not long after that, the community leaders in Fakfak were interested in studying and embracing Islam.
This mosque is not far from the Raja Ampat Islands. If you are a Muslim on a visit to Raja Ampat, you will not have to go far to pray. Masjid Tua Patimburak is also a beautiful building. You can take pictures there too, as long as you do not disturb other people who pray there.
Other Interesting Facts Related to Masjid Tua Patimburak
Here are some other interesting facts about the first mosque in West Papua:
Its Original Name
Its original name is Masjid Al-Yasin. Standing firmly in Patimburak Village, Kokas District, Fakfak Regency, this mosque bears a fascinating history. It has been a silent witness to a raging war and the spreading of Islamic teachings around West Papua.
According to history, Al-Yasin was built by Pamempek Kuda, the first king of Wertuar. It was completed in 1870 AD. It is also dubbed Papua’s Verandah of Mekkah (Serambi Mekkah).
Once Upon A Time, Bombed By the Japanese Army
During the Japanese’s occupation, Masjid Tua Patimburak had been bombed once. You can see the holes in the pillars, where the explosion once took place.
According to Musa Heremba, the power of the Sultan of Tidore had been a significant influence in the spreading of Islamic teachings in Kokas, West Papua. Based on the official website of the Ministry of Religion, the Tidore Sultanate began to recognize Islam and the Sultan of Ciliaci was the first to embrace the religion.
Since then, more and more people have begun to follow Islamic teachings and embrace the religion during that era.
A Traditional Building
The building is over 150 years old. The architecture is unique because it is a blend of a mosque and a church. Musa Heremba, Imam of the Masjid Tua Patimburak, admitted that the building had several renovations. The only original design that is still intact is the four supporting pillars of the mosque. They are predicted to have been more than a century old.
This mosque is primarily green in color, including the fences surrounding it.
By the courtyard, there is a pretty large mango tree. There is also a beautiful bay.
A Dutch-Javanese Architectural Influence
The mosque’s architecture is not only influenced by both the mosque and church designs in one. There is also a Dutch-Javanese architectural influence there. You can see the dome, which resembles the roofs of the typical European churches. There is also circular ventilation. The walls are made of wood.
The hexagon in the building symbolizes the pillars of faith in Islamic belief as a foundation of the religion. The top of the dome is the shape of an octagon. This represents the eight cardinal directions. The mihrab marks the west wind as the direction of prayers in Islamic teachings.
How To Get There
If you have been to Raja Ampat before, it is not hard to find this mosque. You can visit Masjid Tua Patimburak by road from Fakfak to Kokas. There are public transportations between towns that will take you there. Stop by at Fakfak Terminal, and you will find this transportation. The journey may take about a couple of hours. Keep your window open to enjoy the fresh mountain air along the winding road.
Once you arrive at Kokas, take a rented boat for an hour’s journey to Patimburak Village. While you are on your way there, enjoy the beautiful coral reefs under the clear blue water. Everything around you is pristine, immaculate.
Another fantastic thing about this is the sense of peacefulness you get, even before reaching the mosque to pray.
As the first mosque in West Papua, Masjid Tua Patimburak is more than a house of worship for Muslims. It is also a historical building.
