Throughout history, as is the case in Indonesia, mosques have often served not only as places of worship but also as hubs for the dissemination of knowledge and the movement against colonialism. The Masjid Kebondalem, located in the village of Argomulyo, Sedayu sub-district, Bantul Regency, Yogyakarta, stands as a silent witness to the role of mosques as centers for the dissemination of knowledge and the struggle against colonial powers for the surrounding community.
In the history of Islam’s spread in Indonesia, Masjid Kebondalem is recorded as one of the oldest mosques in the Nusantara. It was established by Kiai Muhammad Shareh, an Islamic scholar who propagated Islam in the Sedayu region. The mosque has stood since the 18th century AD.
Initially, Masjid Kebondalem was constructed with bamboo walls. This mosque’s construction was one of the endeavors in Kiai Shareh’s struggle to spread the teachings of Islam. Through Masjid Kebondalem, Kiai Shareh successfully encouraged the local community to not only worship but also to acquire religious knowledge from him.