Tarawih & Pedestrian Brigdge

Tarawih is evening prayers during Ramadan
Several young Muslims performed their last tarawih  on the Jl. Basuki Rahmat pedestrian bridge in Jatinegara.


as the structure will soon be demolished
to make way for the Bekasi-Cawang-Kampung Melayu (Becakayu) toll road project.
Every Ramadan, the pedestrian bridge has been used by youths in the area

as a place to pray because

the nearby Mushola prayer room only allows older residents.


“This is our last year.

There are five neighborhood units [RT], from RT 8 to RT 12,

that will be evicted for the Becakayu toll road.

This is our last chance seeing young Muslims praying on the bridge.


He went on to explain that

the area would be cleared for the construction of an elevated ramp road (lereng)

that will connect Cawang to the toll road. 
The toll road developer has measured the mushola several months ago -- as

it would build a new prayer room of the same size elsewhere.


"The building is valued at Rp 900 million [US$63,000].

The total area is 88 square meters,". 


he was sad to see the mushola, which was built in the 1980s, torn down soon. 


"It's been our tradition that the elders pray inside the mushola

while the young people pray on the bridge.

 I'm sad, but what can I do?" Ponco said.