Ternate, N Maluku, May 19 (Antaranews Maluku) - Tourists visiting Ternate, North Maluku Province, during this Ramadan lauded the various unique characteristics of the Sultanate of Ternate mosque, both in terms of the worship procession and architecture.
"Last night, I offered the Isha and tarawih prayers at the Sultanate of Ternate Mosque, and I was very impressed with the various peculiarities of the mosque," Sugianto, one of the tourists from Jakarta, noted here on Saturday.
The congregation at the Sultanate of Ternate mosque comprised men, who are required to wear long pants and headgear. In fact, such rules are not applied in other mosques in Indonesia, including in the Ternate region.
Sugianto pointed out that women are not part of the congregational prayers, and "tadarus," or reciting Qur`an, after the tarawih prayer is only conducted by the management of the mosque, built over five centuries ago.
Another unique aspect of the Sultanate of Ternate Mosque is a special place for the Sultan of Ternate to take part in the congregational prayers at the mosque whose roof comprises seven levels forming a cone symbolizing the existence of seven layers of the sky.
Ridwan Dero, a caretaker of the mosque, explained that all traditions that apply in the Sultanate of Ternate Mosque have been set by the ancestors, and each holds significance to preserve.
The rule for men to wear long pants while praying at the mosque aims to inherit the customs of Prophet Muhammad SAW and his companions who wore long pants, especially during the war era.
Similarly, the need to wear a cap during prayer at the Ternate Sultanate Mosque is a form of respect and obedience while praying to God.
During the month of Ramadan, several rituals are held in the mosque area, such as qunut night rituals and ela-ela ritual, or the welcome of the evening "lailatul qadar" on the 27th night of Ramadan.
(T.KR-TQA/INE)
EDITED BY INE
(T.SYS/A/KR-BSR/A014)
