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SUNAN GUNUNG JATI
(Syarif Hidayatullah)
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Syarif Hidayatullah,
Muhammad Nuruddin,
Sayyid Kamil, Syekh Nurullah, and Faletehan are just some of the
names
which have been given to Sunan Gunung Jati, the wali who is said to
have converted the western third of Java Islam virtually
single-handed and
to have founded the independent State of Cirebon.
Concerning the birth, life, and
death of this member of
the Wali Songo, there are several conflicting stories, yet the main
thread
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Syarif Hidayatullah
or Syekh Nurullah was born
in
Pasei, North Sumatra. According to some people, he was the son of
Syekh Maulana
Ishak and half-brother of Sunan Giri. Following the Portugese
invasion of
his homeland in 1521, he travelled to Mecca, where he stayed for
three
years. On his return, he entered the service of Sultan Trenggana of
Demak,
whose younger sister he married.
During the next few years, as a
brilliant military commander, he succeeded in subjugating the north west
coast of Java as well as the State of Banten. After successfully blocking
an attempt by the Portugese to land at Sunda Kelapa (Jakarta) in
1527, he
settled in the region of Cirebon, where he continued to live and teach
until his death in A.D. 1570.
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Astana Gunung Jati, Mt
Sembung, Cirebon; the
third of nine gates leading to the tomb of Syarif Hidayatullah. Beyond
this, access is forbidden to all but members of the royal family of
Cirebon.
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Guardians of the tomb are officially
twelve in number; (right) lining up for evening prayer (left) awaiting
visitors in the reception area. |
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Remains of the Kraton Pakungwati, the
original palace of Sunan Gunung Jati |
Kraton Kesepuhan; remnants from the
pre-Islamic period preserved in front of the main entrance |
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| Kraton Kesepuhan; within the Sitinggil
complex |
Cirebon; main entrance to the Great Mosque |
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Cirebon;
the Panjunan Mosque was built
by
Prince Panjunan, a contemporary of Sunan Gunung Jati and apparently a son
of the Sultan of Baghdad. Not suprising then that the mosque is especially
popular with the Arab community. |
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Ancient porcelain set into the walls of the
mosque is said to have been a gift from Ong Tien, the Chinese wife of
Sunan Gunung Jati. |
Interior of the mosque |
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| The original parts of the mosque are hidden
from general view ; One of the pillars |
An original doorway |
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The Great Mosque of Cirebon,
Sang Cipta Rasa, was built on the order of Sunan Gunung Jati and followed
the model of Demak Mosque. Its construction was aided by Sunan Kalijaga
and a famous architect from Majapahit named Kyai Sepet. According
to the legend,
it was here that the '10th wali', Syekh Siti Jenar, was tried and executed
for heresy. |
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| Interior of the Great Mosque, Sang
Cipta Rasa |
The original bedug or drum used for
calling
to prayer |
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Further
information will be provided as soon as possible.
Any comments can be directed to webmaster@petra.ac.id
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