Reinventing Islamic Pilgrimage in Jogokariyan Mosque, Indonesia

Indonesian Muslims have a longstanding tradition of visiting holy sites as part of Islamic pilgrimages. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in mosques as popular destinations for spiritual journeys and meditation. This shift could potentially impact local communities and may lead to the development of new pilgrimage routes within the context of spiritual exploration. However, this paper examines the Jogokariyan Mosque in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, which has become a significant stop on the Islamic pilgrimage route. The author utilises a case study approach, collecting data through observation, interviews, and documentation. The study highlights that a mosque, as the material objective of this research, is closely linked to the cultural and historical elements of the Islamic Mataram Kingdom in Indonesia. As a result, it not only serves as a place of devotion but also encompasses a range of social, cultural, and economic activities. Three key considerations related to the main aspects of pilgrimage routes are discussed, such as festivals, local markets, and cultural centres. The findings suggest that a mosque has multiple functions that empower local communities and potentially attract global recognition through its unique heritage and development. Therefore, the local community’s use of cultural heritage to organise various religious festivals further enhances the mosque’s attractiveness to pilgrims.