Kudus Regency
The city of Kudus was something of an important Islamic holy city in the sixteenth century. It is the only place in Java that has permanently acquired an Arabic name. Sunan Kudus, one of the nine Wali Sanga, was said to have been the 5th imam (head) of the mosque of Demak and a major leader of the 1527 campaign against 'Majapahit', before moving to Kudus.
The Mosque of Kudus which dates from this period, remains a local landmark to this day. It is notable for both its perseverance of pre-Islamic architectural forms such as Old Javanese split doorways and Hindu-Buddhist influenced Majapahit-style brickwork, and for its name al-Manar or al-Aqsa. The date AH 956 (AD 1549) is inscribed over the mihrab (niche indicating the direction of Mecca).
Most residents of Kudus are Javanese although there is an Indonesian Chinese minority in the city centre, as well as an Arab neighbourhood, Kudus Kulon, to the west of the city centre.
The city is considered the "birthplace" of the kretek clove cigarette, which is by far the most widely-smoked form of tobacco in the country. Haji Jamahri, a resident of the city, invented them in the 1880s, and the city remains a major centre for their manufacture.
A festival named Dandangan is held for about one week before Ramadhan, Muslim's fasting month in Kudus Kulon.
On June 12, 2007, about 5000 people gathered peacefully to protest against Jakarta's plan to build 4 nuclear reactors in the region. The movement included local residents, activists, artists, students and public officials, parliament members, military commandants and police chiefs. This movement has been part of a series of responses emerging from all sides of the Indonesian society against the use of nuclear technology for energy production.
Related Sites for Kudus Regency
- Kudus Regency | Visit Indonesia â€" The Most Beautiful … read Kudus Regency
- 71 Km - Distance from Kudus Regency to Sulang read Kudus Regency
- 59 Km - Distance from Kudus Regency to Rembang read Kudus Regency
- Kudus - Triposo read Kudus Regency
