Baiturrahman Grand Mosque is the Great Mosque was built since

centuries years ago in Banda Aceh. It is the symbol of religious life,

bravery, and nationalism of Aceh people. Built on the tenure of Sultan
Iskandar Muda, the mosque was functioned as a center for religious
education in Nusantara (Malay Archipelago). Many Islamic scholars
and students from other countries like Arab, Turkey, India, and Persia
came to gain Islamic religious education there.

The mosque is a silent witness of Aceh people’s struggle in defending

Aceh from the Dutch’s occupation during 1873 to 1904 A.D. It has
ever been ever ruined after being burned by the Dutch in 1873 A.D.
Kohler was dead for being struck by Aceh people in the area
Baiturrahman Mosque. Remembering such tragedy, a monument was
built in the front-left side of the mosque under a ketapang tree. For an
effort to quiet the anger of Aceh people as the mosque had been
destroyed, the Dutch by the command of Governor General Van
Lansnerge rebuilt the mosque by 1879 A.D. Up to now, the mosque
has ever been refurbished for fifth times during 1879-1993 A.D.

The last terrible historical moment of the mosque was the tragedy of
tsunami on December 24th 2004 when the fast water’s stream of
tsunami was almost flooding the ground floor of the mosque. Once,
the mosque becomes a silent witness for people being safe from
tsunami at the time. Many people died at the tragedy were laid down
inside the mosque before they were identified.