‘Mosque-mobile’ makes answering the call to prayer easier in gridlocked Jakarta
As the call to prayer rang out across the Indonesian capital, Sutikno faced a dilemma – the devout Muslim needed to set off through Jakarta’s notorious traffic to pick up his wife but did not want to miss out on worshipping.
However for him and others juggling the demands of hectic, 21st century life and piety in the crowded capital of the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, a solution has just pulled up.
I just parked my car and performed my prayers here. I can save time and go and pick up my wife faster
The “mosque-mobile” started cruising through Jakarta in June as the Islamic holy month of Ramadan drew to a close, aiming to ensure Muslims did not miss out on prayers by setting up in busy places, such as near festivals and sports events.
Sutikno, a middle-aged office worker who like many Indonesians goes by one name, came across the van parked between a sports stadium and shopping malls, and it proved a godsend.
“I was supposed to go to a mosque that is quite far away but then I saw this one,” he said.
“I just parked my car and performed my prayers here. I can save time and go and pick up my wife faster.”