RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta — The Muhammad Cheng Hoo Mosque Pandaan is one of the unique mosques in Indonesia. It showcases a blend of Islamic architecture and Chinese cultural elements.

Located in Pandaan District, Pasuruan Regency, East Java, the mosque has become one of the religious tourism icons that attracts many visitors. The mosque was built as a tribute to Zheng He, better known in Indonesia as Cheng Hoo, a Muslim admiral from China who led voyages to various regions of Asia, including the Indonesian archipelago, in the 15th century.

Historically, Cheng Hoo is known not only as a sailor and leader of major maritime expeditions, but also as a figure who carried missions of peace and fostered trade and friendship among nations. The legacy of his journeys and influence is commemorated through several mosques in Indonesia that bear his name.

Muhammad Cheng Hoo Mosque Pandaan is known as the first mosque in the world to use the name Cheng Hoo. Its presence has become a source of pride for the Muslim community in East Java, particularly for the people of Pasuruan and its surrounding areas.

The construction of the mosque took place during the leadership of Pasuruan Regent Jusbakir Al-Jufri, with consultation involving the Indonesian Chinese Muslim Association. The mosque was officially inaugurated on 27 January 2008.

Architecturally, the building is inspired by traditional Chinese temple design, featuring tiered roofs resembling a pagoda. The dominant red, green, and golden yellow colors strengthen the Chinese cultural atmosphere, while Islamic ornaments and calligraphy decorate several parts of the mosque.

Besides functioning as a place of worship, the mosque has also become a popular religious tourism destination. Many visitors come to admire its distinctive architecture while enjoying a spiritual atmosphere that reflects cultural acculturation and interfaith tolerance in Indonesia.