Harmony in Diversity

 

Harmony in Diversity

 The Tiban Mosque's Enchanting Blend of Faith, Education, and Exploration

A mosque in Turen, Malang Regency, East Java, has transformed itself into a center of religious tourism that promotes multiculturalism and economic development.

What is the story behind the unique name "honey seas" and how does it reflect the Islamic Boarding School's mission?

In Turen, Malang Regency East Java, we will find the Tiban Mosque, as you can see, the Tiban Mosque is built very beautifully and is an impressive example of Islamic art, architecture, and faith. In every part of the Tiban Mosque, there are carvings and calligraphic sculptures that use various Chinese, Arabic, and Turkish architectural styles.

Tiban Mosque, Salafiyah Bihaaru Bahri Asali Fadlaailir Rahmah Islamic Boarding School isn't just a place of worship; it's a thriving center of religious tourism that celebrates multiculturalism. The name of the Islamic boarding school (pesantren) often shortened as “Bi Ba’a Fadlrah”  this phrase is Arabic inspired and very symbolic, as a literal translation it means “The Seas of Honey from the Blessings of Mercy “symbolizing a place full of kindness, wisdom and divine mercy. This mystical sounding name fits beautifully with the spiritual and cultural atmosphere.

This Islamic boarding school is based on “istikharah prayer”, a prayer that is done in the hope to seek guidance from God for the best choice. In Islam, the prayer is done when someone is facing a difficult decision or doesn’t know what choice to make like choosing a job, marriage partner, or even starting a big project. Therefore, when the founder of the pesantren says the Islamic boarding school is based on istikharah it means “he didn’t randomly decide to build the mosque”.

Main gate Tiban Mosque

The Islamic Boarding School was pioneered about 47 years ago in 1963. Boarding school did not begin as a big intuition, it grew slowly until home of Romo Kyai Ahmad was developed into the current boarding school this is where it all started from home with heart. Construction has been carried out since 1987, although it was still semi-permanent until 1992. Intensive construction began again in 1999 until now.

Getting to the area from the City of Malang is quite easy. From Malang city center, tourists can use private vehicles or public transportation such as buses or taxis. If using a private vehicle, the trip usually takes about 1-2 hours depending on traffic conditions.

What other factors contribute to the success of religious tourism in Malang that go beyond religious teachings?

Discover the Tiban Mosque, where spirituality meets multiculturalism in a unique blend of religious tourism, people think that the mosque is only a place of worship. However, the Tiban Mosque was developed through multicultural community development into a model of religious tourism. As seen in the picture above, as we step inside, we will be greeted by a pesantren student (called “santri” in Indonesia) who act as a tour guide. A santri does not only learn about religion, but they also learn life skills such as hospitality, entrepreneurship and even tour guiding.

The santri becomes a tour guide for a group of visitors to explain what activities can be done on the 5^th floor.

Santri turn into a tour guide

What's the story behind the Tiban Mosque's unique blend of styles, featuring a temple like entrance and Indian domes adorned with Arabic calligraphy?

Uniqueness entrance

Today, Tiban Mosque stands as a symbol of the beauty of Islam, and its intricate and detailed architecture draws visitors from far and wide. The first building that can be seen when entering the Tiban Mosque is the front post of the mosque, which is styled like a temple to the complex in the main building.

Domes

The domes of the Tiban Mosque in Indian style carved in Arabic writing are all done by the santri. This fusion of styles reflects the mosque's embrace of multiculturalism, a growing trend in religious tourism. By incorporating elements from various cultures such as Indian, Chinese, and Arabic elements into its design, the Tiban Mosque welcomes visitors of all backgrounds.

 

Tourists can experience a stunning and captivating visual experience as well as understand and respect different religions. This mosque serves as a testament to the potential of religious tourism to bridge cultural gaps and celebrate the beauty of diverse traditions. The Tiban Mosque's walls, adorned with intricate and captivating calligraphy carvings, double as a stunning backdrop for unforgettable photos. This visual feast makes the mosque a favorite among visitors seeking the perfect Instagram-worthy moment. 

Selfie Alert!

Myth vs. Reality: What's the true story behind the name "Tiban Mosque"?

Construction process of Tiban Mosque

The construction of the Mosque was carried out by santri who lived in the pondok pesantren on the same land. They worked hard, starting from making bricks, and mixing cement to making mosque decorations. All of these processes are done manually, without using machines or heavy equipment. Since these santri are part of the pesantren's internal community, the local community may not notice any construction activities. This might make people think that the mosque suddenly appeared or was built overnight.

However, the reality is that the construction of this mosque required tremendous time, effort, and dedication from the students. They did not rely on professional construction workers or heavy machinery. Everything was handmade, built manually by them. The Tiban Mosque itself is a symbol of this hard work and dedication, with an architectural style that combines Arabic, Chinese, and Indian elements, but also is a testament to the diversity and tolerance that exists within the pesantren community.

 

Beyond Prayer: What unexpected features and activities can visitors find on the different floors of the Tiban Mosque (from family rooms to shop)?

Family room ndalem dalam

The main building of the Tiban Mosque boasts 10 floors, each with it's own unique function and design. The first is 4^th floor dedicated to places of worship and student activities. 

view from the 4^th floor

There is a beautiful view from the 4^th floor of the roof of the building, from here we can see the trees that are purposely let grow by the owner of the pondok pesantren so that the environment looks beautiful and has cool air around the buildings.

After enjoying the beauty ground floor of  Tiban Mosque, we move upwards to the 5^th and 6^th floors. Here, visitors can find this floor as a resting place to catch their breath and admire the beauty of the calligraphy details carved on the walls building before continuing their exploration.

Place of prayer for male santri

Beautiful Indian style ornaments

For your information, on the 5^th floor when prayer time comes, all activities must be stopped for a moment of worship.

Tiban Mosque offers a surprising discovery, a tunnel leading to a dedicated mass wedding room. This unique space features comfortable podium style seating for guests, but the true star is how beautiful and artistically the room is decorated. Walls and corridors are adorned with large Arabic calligraphy carvings, layered with gold ornaments. This beautiful fusion of styles reflects the mosque's embrace of multiculturalism, a concept that's increasingly popular in religious tourism.

A room used for mass marriage ceremonies

Get a breathtaking view from the 6^th floor. A dedicated room here is a special view area where you can enjoy a wide angle, allowing you to admire its beauty from a unique perspective. Now continue your exploration of Tiban Mosque by heading up the staircase to the enticing Tiban Mosque shopping center.

Main garden

The 7^th floor at the Tiban Mosque offers a delightful blend of shopping, nature, and inspiration. As we stop off the stairs, a large stone with a profound message greets us, offering a contemplative moment. 

Contemplation stone

Around the 7th floor room area, step outside and explore the beautifully maintained Manamju Garden, maintained by students at Islamic boarding school. This hall space transforms into a delightful shopping haven, where we can find a treasure trove of souvenirs. There are several products to choose from, classic religious tourism treats (brem, and dodol jarkasi), local snacks (fruit chips), and fashionable Muslim clothing (sarung, kopyah, mukenah, sajadah).

Charming shopping area

Beautiful exit gate

The exit gate of the mosque is decorated with beautiful, detailed Arabic calligraphy showing santri’s grate skill when they are carving it. The gate resembles a Mughal Empire gate; the exit is designed to look like an Islamic empire in India famous for architecture like Taj Mahal. Surprisingly, there is a barber shop right at the exit!

Barber Shop

As you depart from the 7^th floor marketplace, here you can find a treasure trove of souvenirs, from classic religious tourism treats like brem and dodol jarkasi to the famed Dampit coffee, all at budget-friendly prices.

Inside the mosque, there is a shopping area but small like miniatur “Ramayana mall” is a famous department store chain in Indonesia, a lively shopping center inside a Tiban mosque complex. The shopping center is run by the santri (students), not by outside businesspeople. Students are taught not only islamic teachings, but also practical real-world skills like business management, customer service, and entrepreneurship.

Religious tourism treats call it “Brem” which is made from tapai ketan

 

Dampit coffe variant

As you depart from the 8^th The mosque offers more than religious activities to surprise visitors with new attractions, even on the upper floors. As you ascend the stairs, prepare to be greeted by “Zahra Garden” is a special area inside the mosque where you can find lots of flowers especially orchids. 

Zahra Garden Florist

People who love orchids will feel very happy here because there are many different types of orchid seedling they can buy, based on the prices (Rp 250.000 to Rp 5.000.000) as a luxurious souvenir. Even if visitors aren't particularly interested in orchids, Zahra Garden still has many other colourful and beautiful flowers.

Orchid flower seeds (baby orchids)

The adventure continues on the 9^th floor of the Mosque! Get ready for an adrenaline rush as we ascend the stairs with their near-vertical incline. This unique challenge adds a touch of excitement to our exploration. While the elevator is reserved for the Islamic boarding school's core family, the panoramic views and tranquil atmosphere on the 9^th floor are worth the climb. This floor is a popular spot for selfies! 

Legend Stairs

Special Lift

Fountain garden

At the top of Tiban Mosque, there is a special rooftop. It is a calm space where people can rest and enjoy the view of the mosque, and it is the environment. The rooftop is not just for walking around it allows visitors to take a moment to reflect or simply enjoy the beauty after exploring the mosque. Tiban Mosque's architecture (buildings, structures, details) and design (how everything was carefully planned) are praised here. It shows the mosque wasn't just build for function it was built for beauty, meaning and purpose.

Rooftop area

Open space for visitors to relax

People might think it is just a regular mosque, but it is much bigger and more surprising. The mosque combines culture (different architectural influences like Indian, Arabic, Chinese styles), artistic design (detailed carvings, ornaments), and education (santri learning real-world skills). These mixtures make the place very special and unique. Each of the 10 floors offers something new, not just places to pray, but also shopping areas, gardens, and even educational spaces where visitors can see the lives of the santri (students).

Whether we're seeking spiritual enlightenment, a cultural adventure, or simply a visually stunning experience. Prepare to be awestruck by its beauty, inspired by its multicultural embrace, and touched by the dedication of its santri. “Tiban Mosque presents unique architecture, with Arabic influences in the calligraphy, Indian touches in the dome ornaments, and bright colors with symmetrical patterns reflecting Chinese architecture. The overall design reflects a fusion of global culture with local Indonesian tastes. Alongside this, “students at the Tiban Mosque are trained to be tour guides who are fluent in explaining the history, architecture and cultural values of the mosque to visitors”. Through this training, they not only learn public speaking, but also become ‘ambassadors of the mosque’ who promote tolerance, diversity and pride in local culture. Add the Tiban Mosque to your travel itinerary, it's an unforgettable gem waiting to be discovered.