The story of the 'Kremlin' Mosque inspired by the Church

St. Cathedral Basilius (Russia: Sobor Vasiliya Blazhennogo) in Moscow, Russia has long been an iconic building with nine domes. Some call it the Kremlin Church (although it is actually located outside the Kremlin palace complex), some call it the Lolipop Church, because of its brightly colored dome like candy.

Not infrequently, for people who are unfamiliar with the typical church building of Eastern Christianity, the cathedral which had become the throne of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, was even mistaken for a mosque, so it often appeared in greeting card illustrations and other designs themed on Islamic Holidays.

In Russia itself the Cathedral of St. Basil was only used as a museum during the Communist reign. Even though it has been re-functioned as a church now, its mass use is only on certain holidays.

However, who would have thought if the Cathedral of St. Basil also became the inspiration for the construction of a mosque in Indonesia. When you pass the Yogyakarta-Solo Highway in the Candisari Kalasan region, Sleman, a colorful domed building is sure to attract attention. This is the An Nurumi Mosque. Although relatively small, but its unique shape is very easily seen by motorists.

This mosque was built in 2005, on the initiative of Hj. Umi Nursalim, a businessman known through the Mbok Berek Fried Chicken restaurant chain, and his late mother, Nurindarti. Takmir of An Nurumi Mosque, Slamet Budiono Jarod, told us that Umi Nursalim and her mother, Nurindarti initially left for Umrah to the Holy Land. After performing the Umrah, both of them returned through Eastern Europe.

"In Eastern Europe, Mrs. Hajjah Umi Nursalim and her mother, Nurindarti stopped in the Kremlin (Moscow), when that time was over, my mother prayed. He said that if God permits and provides for us, we want to build a mosque like this, "said Jarod.

The mosque construction process is done manually and does not use heavy equipment. Even to make the nine domes at the top done by human labor. The construction process was completed in 2007 and was inaugurated in August by the Governor of Yogyakarta, as well as the King of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Palace, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X.

"This mosque can accommodate up to about 200 worshipers," said Jarod. An Nurumi Mosque is actually the same as the usual mosque, only the difference between the dome at the top. The number of domes above is nine. The height of the dome in the middle is around 26.5 meters, while the other eight are six meters. The number of the dome that was popped up was interpreted by Umi Nursalim as a haze of memories and respect for the Walisongo, who spread Islam in Java.

The colorful dome was immediately visible. There are people around who call this mosque the Candy Mosque, or the Kremlin Mosque. An Nurumi Mosque in the holy month of Ramadan is always crowded with people who want to pray. Even a number of travelers who come from Malaysia, Turkey and Australia, have also come to this mosque because they are curious about the original form that is unique.

News sources: tribunnews.com; kompas.com