If you ask me, among 34 Provinces in Indonesia, which one that have long history, religious, and show Indonesia motto, Bhineka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), my answer is North Sumatra Province. For the last point, and the title of this article, why I said North Sumatra Province is represent Indonesai motto, Bhineka Tunggal Ika? It is because North Sumatra community have religious cites for different religions and people in North Sumatra are living peacefully even though they have different religion.
North Sumatra Province is located in Sumatra island, between DI Aceh Province and West Sumatra Province. The capital city of North Sumatra is Medan. North Sumatra is also connecting with Malacca strait which near with Malaysia and Singapore.
My father was born in North Sumatra Province, so that's why I often visiting every year in Eid Mubarak. However, since 2012, I haven't visited Medan until the end of 2016 to beginning of 2017 I visit my family in Medan for the first time since 4 years ago.
It's first time for me to visit Medan without my parents, and I'm getting know more about Medan city. I realized that Medan city have many great religious cites and everyone live together peacefully without significant conflict. I'm so impressed with the atmosphere of the city.
During travelling around Medan city, I visited one historical place, 3 religious cites plus one hangout place that I recommend you to come. Have a look 5 Medan's tourist cites that you must visit when you're going to have a trip in Medan city.
1. Maimun Palace (Istana Maimun)
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| Me and my nieces and nephew in front of Maimun Palace |
Originally, Maimun Palace is a palace of Deli Kingdom since 17th century. Maimun Palace is located in the central of Medan city, so it is easy to find.
The Sultanate of Deli is one of four big Sultanate in North Sumatra. Deli itself, is the name of a city in North Sumatra where Batak tribes are living. The name of Deli was taken from the history of first king of Deli, Tuanku Gotjah Pahlawan, descendant of King Delhi Akbar (Hindustan India).
Throughout the history of its existence, Deli Kingdom had already in existence since the early of 17th century, until the mid 20th century AD and later decided to join the Republic of Indonesia. Up to now, the sultanate of Deli Kingdom still continuing as a Sultan of the Sultanate where it acts as an indigenous stakeholders and its customs still remain to be implemented as a mirror of nobility of national culture.
Maimun Palace was designed by Italian architecture and built by Sultan Deli, Sultan Mahmud Al Rasyid Perkasa Alamsyah, he was the oldest son of Sultan Mahmud Perkasa Alam, founder of Medan city. The attractive point from Maimun Palace is the interior design that represent Malay culture, combined with Islamic culture, Spain, India, and Italy.
2. The Grand Mosque Al Mashun
The grand mosque Al Mashun is one of the historical building which still exist and used since Deli Kingdom era. Grand Mosque Al Mashun was built in 1906 by Sultan Mahmud Al Rasyid Perkasa Alamsya IX. At first, Grand Mosque Al Mashun was part of Maimun Palace residence, that's why the location of the Mosque and Maimun Palace is only 200 m.
For women, they cannot enter Grand Mosque Al Mashun unless they wear hijab and wear clothes according to Islamic rule. Just like the other Mosque, Grand Mosque Al Mashun still use for pray space, Islamic center, and hosting Islamic important agenda such as Friday pray, Eid Mubarak, and Ramadhan.
3. Graha Santa Maria Annai Velangkani
When you see picture above, you might think this is Buddhist Monastery or Hindu Temple, but actually, thus building is Catholic Church. That's the interesting point from Graha Santa Maria Annai Velangkani. The architecture and design are looks like Buddhist Monastery or Hindu Temple.
Graha Santa Maria Annai Velangkani was built on September 2001 by Pastor James Bharataputra. Then, on 1st October 2005, the church was officially operated and used for pray space for Catholics.
The unique point from this church is the original Indo-Mogul architecture where every ornament and colorization was done by amateur hands. The Church has candi (Indonesia typical Hindu temple architecture) tower with two floors. The ground floor used for the hall, 1st floor is used for pray space, and also there's balcony which have 14 windows that illustrate the cross path.
4. Maha Vihara Adhi Maiterya
Another religious cite that very popular in Medan city is Maha Vihara Adhi Maiterya, or local community often call, Vihara Cemara Asri or Vihara Cemara because this Monastery is located in Cemara Asri Residence. In fact, Vihara Cemara is one of the biggest Monastery in Indonesia.
There ara three holy statues in Vihara Cemara, those are the holy Buddha statue, Dwi Kwan In, and Hakim Bao statue. In front side, you can see prayer place for Buddhist, then not so far from prayer space, there's big hall where the holy Buddha statue with gold color stands. However, you cannot take a picture inside because it is holy space for praying to great Buddha statue, so we have to respect it.
On the left side of Monastery, there's flying teapot, filling a water for koi fish ponds. As its name, Vihara Cemara Asri (Asri means peaceful), around Monastery, it is very peaceful atmosphere with many green plants and cranes who're standing and flying on the swamp. Especially in afternoon time, Vihara Cemara is good place for afternoon walking and chatting with your friends or family or loved one.
5. Merdeka Walk
Beside religious cites in Medan city, I'd like to highlight Merdeka Walk, the best hangout and culinary place in Medan city. In Merdeka Walk, you can find any kind of restaurants and typical Medan culinary. You can eat Roti Tisu (Tissue Bread), Martabak, Aceh noodle, and other Medan foods.
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| Roti Tisu (Tissue Bread) |
There's also Western, Chinese, and Japanese restaurants around here. In the night, there are many people who come to Merdeka Walk for having dinner, hangout, and gathering. The location is easy to find because Merdeka walk is beside Lapangan Merdeka (Merdeka ground).
So, you don't need to worry to find where's the best place for hangout. Just come to Merdeka Walk and bring your friends or family or loved one.
In summary, Medan city's religious cites are show that society in Medan city is living in diversity of religion peacefully. From one of the historical place in Medan such as Maimun Palace and Grand Mosque Al Mashun, one of the biggest Monastery in Indonesia, and Temple looks like Catholic Church, Graha Santa Maria Annai Velangkani.
Those places are very important for each religion but people in Medan keep respecting each other. It shows that Medan city apply Indonesia motto, "Bhineka Tunggal Ika" which means Unity In Diversity. Medan city is good example and should be inspiration for other city in Indonesia that even though we have different religion, we have to keep respecting each other, live together peacefully, and avoid unnecessary conflict. That what Indonesia should be.
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