After going through a long wait in the construction of a new mosque at the University of Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), finally right on Sunday (3/12/2017) Masjid Hj. Sudalmiyah Rais has been successfully inaugurated. It has been 15 months since the laying of the first stone, along with the inauguration of the mosque, UMS also held a Grand Recitation of the Muhammadiyah Solo Raya Day in the context of the Socialization of the 48th Congress in Solo which is planned to be held in 2020.

This activity, which is still part of the series of the 59th UMS Anniversary, invites big figures of Muhammadiyah. These figures include Prof. Dr. H. Muhammad Amien Rais, Prof. Dr. H. Din Syamsudin, as well as from the Central Leadership of Muhammadiyah Prof. Dr. H. Yunahar Ilyas.

The series of events that were held at the inauguration of this mosque was quite interesting and crowded, because apart from being attended by around 41 thousand worshipers, this event was also filled with various activities. Among them are the provision of a bazaar stand that can be visited by the congregation, the presentation of chanting songs as entertainment for the congregation that is hummed by Voca Al-Kindi UMS, as well as the announcement of the winner of the Muhammadiyah web competition in Solo Raya and the Muhammadiyah School Poster in Solo.

In this kind of inauguration activity, of course a development report is very important to be submitted. Dr. Sofyan Anif, M.Si as the Chancellor of UMS said that in fact the design of the Hj. Sudalmiyah Rais is a design that was obtained from the winner of a design competition held at the Faculty of Engineering, UMS.

“The design of this mosque is the result of the winners of the design competition which was participated by lecturers and students organized by the Faculty of Engineering,” he said in his report.

He also said that the Hj. Sudalmiyah Rais has many philosophies. For example, the shape of the mosque is inspired by the philosophy of the hands of praying people looking up. Then there is also a circular pattern formed from a horseshoe corridor. This pattern describes a strong bonding system between all elements and makes the mosque a center of reference and movement. In addition, there is also a shining pattern on the north side of the mosque which illustrates the nature of the Muhammadiyah movement which is always developing, advancing and enlightening.

In addition, Prof. Dr. H. Muhammad Amien Rais, who is also known as the father of Reformation and Nationalism, also gave a tausiyah to the congregation. In his tausiyah, in addition to knowing how the Apostle used to build a mosque, he also gave views to the congregation about the condition of Muslims, especially in Indonesia. Even on that occasion he also told his story when he was still in school where his parents required him to study at Muhammadiyah.

Prof. Dr. H. Din Syamsudin, who on this occasion became a special envoy for the Presidency, also gave his impression of the mosque building that had already been established. According to him, the mosque that has been built by UMS is an architecture that has meaning and philosophy towards Islamic values.

“The architecture of this mosque requires the meaning and philosophy of Islamic values. I hope that later this mosque can become a center of worship as well as campus learning, and hopefully from UMS can also be born an enlightener for Muslims and the nation, “he said.

At the end of the grand recitation, Prof. Dr. H. Yunahar Ilyas from the Central Executive of Muhammadiyah also conveyed information regarding the 48th Congress in Solo later. He explained that in fact many Muhammadiyah Regional Leaders held the upcoming congress in their area. However, the Muhammadiyah Central Executive then decided to appoint UMS as the host of the 2020 congress.

“The 48th congress in 2020 will be UMS which will be the host. The Central Executive has already decided this. Because UMS is considered the most ready in terms of infrastructure,” he explained. (Khairul)