Mosques of Wali Songo Muslim Missionaries
DEMAK THE GREAT MOSQUE
The Great Mosque at Demak stands as a symbol of the founding of java's first Islamic kingdom by Sultan Raden Patah at the end of the 15th century. the exact date of its construction is still open to interpretation, yet prevailing opinion tends to fovour the chronogram (candra sengkala) hidden in the omage western wall. The date corresponds to A.D. 1479.
Stained glass decoration, viewed from within the mosque | |
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Demak; interior of the Great Mosque showing decoration on the western wall |
Demak; interior of the Great Mosque showing the image of a turtle within the mihrab, or prayer niche. |
(Ancient relics preserved inside the Demak Mosque; opposite show the old mimbar, or pulpit, which is said to have been the original throne of Raden Patah, first Sultan of Demak. | Ornament above one of the entrance doors |
Decorative carving on an external pillar | The religion of Islam, under the guidance of the Wali Songo, influenced the decorative arts. A portion of an ancient batik textile displays a sacred chapter from the Qur'an |
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Holy Mosques
The Walisongo
- Maulana Malik Ibrahim
- Sunan Ampel
- Sunan Giri
- Sunan Bonang
- Sunan Drajat
- Sunan Kudus
- Sunan Kalijaga
- Sunan Muria
- Sunan Gunung Jati