
Islam arrived in Jakarta in various ways. As well as local people’s exposure to the Muslim merchants who settled in the Malacca Straits in order to trade with the Ottoman Empire, the Samudera Pasai (in Sumatra) and its influence on the Banten and Demak kingdoms in most parts of Java also played a significant role. During the 13th-14th century Samudera Pasai (a Muslim Harbour Kingdom in Sumatra) became the most influential kingdom of the Malacca Straits which led to the mass conversion to Islam. In turn helping the kingdom to secure a powerful political and economic patron.

The spread of Islam across Java, followed the same pattern — economic and political necessity drove mass conversion. In Java this related to the rise of Malacca (Islam) and the decline of Majapahit (Hinduism, Buddhism, Kejawen). However throughout its history, Jakarta had never been the centre of Islamic power or a disseminator of Islam. Its development was successful due to its status as the main port and trade hub for spices, and the administration centre during Dutch colonialism. Until the arrival of Indonesian Revolution!













