Nusantara: a giant mosque to establish the legitimacy of the new Indonesian capital

In Nusantara, the future Indonesian capital which will replace Jakarta, work on the new national mosque is progressing rapidly. The building is expected to open for Eid al-Fitr prayers in spring 2025, marking a historic turning point for the world’s largest Muslim country.

“The work is progressing,” confirms Hariqo Wibawa Satria, spokesperson for the presidency, who unveils an ambitious architectural project. On a plot of more than 32,000 square meters, the main structure already stands: four floors including two mezzanines and parking spaces arranged on terraces.

Initially, the mosque will be able to accommodate 5,580 worshipers. “We plan to gradually increase this capacity to 60,000 people,” said the spokesperson. The complex will also include shops on two levels and modern infrastructure, with parking spaces dedicated to VIPs and people with reduced mobility.

The Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar, does not hide his ambitions: “This mosque will become one of the most prestigious in Indonesia”. As with the mythical Istiqlal of Jakarta, a grand imam will be appointed to lead the prayers.

This new place of worship demonstrates the complex issues of moving the capital. In Jakarta, the imposing Istiqlal, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, embodied spiritual power at the heart of the city. In Nusantara, the government of President Prabowo Subianto must achieve a double transition: moving not only the institutions, but also the religious symbols that make up the soul of a capital.

The choice of an opening for Eid el-Fitr, a major holiday marking the end of Ramadan, is not insignificant. It immediately places this new building in the Indonesian spiritual tradition, while symbolizing the renewal promised by Nusantara.