Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date of this Version
Summer 12-20-2021
Document Type
Article
Abstract
This study examined the portrait of archive management activities in three historic mosques in Indonesia, namely Istiqlal Mosque, Luar Batang Mosque and Syuhada Mosque. These mosques have a profound symbolic significance for society. Luar Batang mosque is the oldest mosque in Jakarta. Syuhada Mosque is a gift from the Indonesian Government to Yogyakarta's people to fight for and preserve the country's independence. Istiqlal Mosque is the Republic of Indonesia's national mosque that has become a symbol of pride for its people. For many Muslims, the mosque is the nucleus of community life, and the written documents documented in the mosque explain society's dynamics. It is, therefore, necessary to see how these mosques have recorded manuscripts. This research used a descriptive qualitative approach as a method of inquiry. Data sources were derived from observation, interviews and documentation. The findings of this analysis reveal three functions of archival works in these three mosques, i.e., 1) archives of administrative activities (idarah); 2) archives of the mosques’ prospering activities (imarah) and; 3) archives of coordination and usage of facilities and infrastructure, as well as security and order of mosques (riayah). These mosques recorded their religious activities and documented the people's involvement in the mosque. the more organized the mosque archives are, the more visible the role of the mosque in society will be.