BANGKOK, THAILAND — Ustaz Dasram Effendi, Dai Ambassador Dompet Dhuafa assigned in Thailand again shared his experience while preaching in the Land of White Elephants. This time, Ustaz Dasram visited an Indonesian Mosque in Bangkok, Thailand.
At around 5 p.m. Thailand time, Ustaz Dasram rushed to order a driver through the Bolt app to go to Indonesia Mosque. Bolt itself is one of online transportation applications that is widely used in the Land of White Elephants. Without having to wait long, Ustaz Dasram was immediately picked up by the Bolt driver.
“Alhamdulillaah after two minutes, the Bolt driver arrived and after confirming the application we rushed to the destination,” explained Ustaz Dasram.
The road that afternoon seemed quiet for the ustaz, although he was stuck in a little traffic jam at Sathon Surasak Station intersection. With the skill of the Bolt driver who turned out to be a Thai Muslim, within 15 minutes Dai Ambassador Dompet Dhuafa had arrived at the location.
“We arrived at the end of an alley called Soi Polo. A sign reading ‘Indonesia Mosque’ was plastered on the wall.”
“Alhamdulillah, the dream of visiting this mosque has come true,” Ustaz Dasram wrote in a note to Dompet Dhuafa.
Indonesia Mosque is located at Polo 5 Alley, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok. According to Ustaz Dasram, the atmosphere of the mosque that afternoon still seemed quiet. However, he came across a woman who was preparing some drinks to break the fast.
When passing by, the woman greeted Dai Ambassador Dompet Dhuafa by saying greetings in Thai. However, the greeting was answered by the ustaz in English. Just like Indonesia, Thai citizens are also famous for their hospitality.
From the placard attached to the front wall of the mosque on the second floor, it is known that the name of this mosque is Masjid Indonesia or Indonesia Mosque. The mosque was built on the waqf land of Indonesian people of Javanese origin who lived in the Soi Polo area. They were led by the deceased Haji Muhammad Salae in about 1949.
Also read: Catatan Dai Ambassador Dompet Dhuafa Malaysia: Geliat Dakwah Muhammadiyah di Negeri Serumpun
With permission from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Thailand, the mosque was then named “Indonesia Mosque.” In addition to being used for five daily prayers, the mosque is also used as a place to carry out activities and study of Islam.
In 2005, the mosque underwent a complete renovation. At first, this mosque was only made of wood. Then it was renovated into a sturdier mosque, consisting of three floors and accommodating more worshippers.
Based on Ustaz Dasram’s chat with the worshippers who came, it is known that the worshippers of this mosque are diverse. Starting from Indonesian, Pakistani, to Malaysian. During Friday prayers, most of the worshippers are Malaysians. No wonder, because the Malaysian Embassy is located not far from this mosque.
However, what about the existence of Javanese Muslims who are said to have lived in the Indonesia Mosque Area?
As the area developed, many Muslims of Javanese background there, sold their property and moved elsewhere. Today, it is estimated that only about 100 Indonesian Muslims live in the Soi Polo Area.
“According to information, the Indonesian diaspora from Java mostly lives in the Sathorn area, where there is a Javanese Mosque whose figure is Winai Dahlan, who is none other than the grandson of the cleric and founder of Muhammadiyah, KH Ahmad Dahlan,” concluded Ustaz Dasram. (Dompet Dhuafa/Dai Ambassador Dompet Dhuafa, Dasram Effendi/Ronna)