ISCA Chairman Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani

gives Khutbatul Jum'ah to over 100,000 Muslims at Masjid Istiqlal in Jakarta, Indonesia (July 11th, 2003).

Masjid Istiqlal is the "third largest Mosque" in the world after the Masjid al-Haraam in Makkat al-Mukarramah and the Masjid an-Nabawi ash-Sharif in Madinat al-Munawwara, `ala saakiniha afdal as-salaat was-salaam.

In building this mosque, the modern Indonesian government sought to create one of the seven wonders of the world, as their ancestors had built Borobudour (in 500 BC) or Prambanan, two huge Indonesian temples from pre-Islamic times.

The groundbreaking took place on Mawlid an-Nabi (s) in 1961 to emphasize the importance of Honoring the Prophet (s), his love, and commemorating his Birth.

An aerial view of the mosque.

Istiqlal Mosque has five floors of prayer balconies, and its roof is 180 ft. above the ground held aloft on 12 pillars, and its huge geodesic dome is 75 feet high and 140 feet wide.

After the second adhan (call to prayer) was made, Shaykh Hisham ascended to the very tall pulpit.

From there he spoke on the Signs of the Last Days we are observing in the events taking place today.

Following the khutba, Shaykh Hisham prayed Salaat al-Jumu`ah behind the Imam, then followed with Sunnah prayers, tasbih and du`a.

Following Sunnah prayers congregants came to greet the Shaykh before he was whisked away by a security detail to the office of the mudeer.

Warmly greeted by the mudeer after prayers, Shaykh Kabbani was welcomed in the VIP guest lounge where ranking `ulama and statesmen are hosted.

Shaykh Kabbani was requested to fill out the guest imam book where he wrote his prayers for the Mosque and its attendees, and the nation of Indonesia as a whole under the current leadership of PM Megawati Sukarnoputri.

HRH Raja Ashman bin Azlan Shah adds his annotation to the guestbook.

HRH Prince Raja Ashman bin Azlan Shah, a prince of Malaysia.

- RETURN TO INDONESIA TOUR 2003 -

© Copyright Naqshbandi-Haqqani Sufi Order 2003.