Lombok is an island located in West Nusa Tenggara, which is famous for its various natural attractions. Not only that, Lombok is also famous as the island of a thousand mosques which makes the community or every visitor and newcomer to the island of Lombok, especially for Muslims, but what causes Lombok to be called the island of a thousand mosques?

This nickname was given for a reason, of course it was given for several reasons, one of which is considering the many magnificent mosques and historic ones spread throughout the island.

The diversity of mosque architecture combined with the friendliness of the local population, the majority of whom are Muslim, makes Lombok a very attractive religious tourism destination.

Lombok can certainly be a paradise for Muslim tourists and a wonder of Islamic Architecture.

History of the name of the Island of a Thousand Mosques

Reported from the Kemenparekraf page, the nickname of the Island of a Thousand Mosques for Lombok began when the Director General of Islamic Community Guidance of the Ministry of Religion, Effendi Zarkasih, was on a working visit in 1970.

During the working visit to inaugurate the Cakranegara Grand Mosque, Effendi was impressed because he saw the many mosques standing on Lombok Island. Then, he spontaneously said that Lombok was the Island of a Thousand Mosques.

Quoted from Lombok Post according to the 2019 Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) Standard, Lombok apparently occupies the top position as the best halal tourist destination in the world. This achievement certainly cannot be separated from the high teachings of Islam in Lombok, even getting the nickname as the Island of a Thousand Mosques.

The reason it is called the Island of a Thousand Mosques

Many Mosques in Every Village

Lombok Island consists of 4 districts, namely West Lombok, East Lombok, Central Lombok, and North Lombok. In every village and even hamlet in each district, the number of mosques that exist has at least two mosques. The forms of the mosques are also diverse, ranging from the magnificent to the simple.

The Majority of the Community is Muslim

Why are there so many mosques in Lombok? Because Lombok is predominantly Muslim. The community, from the Sasak Tribe to immigrants, are mostly Muslim.

In fact, the Sasak people consider the mosque to be a building that cannot be separated from their lives.

Best Halal Tourism in Indonesia

Taken from Kumparan, with the majority of the population embracing Islam, Lombok Island has achieved the title of the best halal tourism in the world. This was revealed by the 2019 Global Muslim Travel Index Standard.

A number of magnificent and historic mosques on Lombok Island are the ancient Bayan Beleq mosque, the Songak mosque, the Karang Bayan mosque, the Rambitan mosque, the ancient Salut mosque, and various other mosques.

Although it has many mosques, the mosques in Lombok have a distinctive architecture, combining traditional Sasak elements with a modern touch. In addition to the large mosque, Lombok also has many village mosques with unique traditional architecture.

If you are interested in religious tourism, you can come to Lombok and feel a different sensation, especially if you come during Ramadan, then you will find unique and pleasant vibes.