A study of place attachment to Oman Al-Makmur Mosque in Banda Aceh

The Oman Al-Makmur Mosque is one of the most frequently visited mosques in Banda Aceh due to its strategic location along the city’s main road and its high accessibility. Beyond functioning as a place of worship and Qur’anic learning, the mosque also serves as a center for various socio-religious activities, including marriage ceremonies, informal gatherings, assemblies, and bazaars. This study aims to analyze the level of place attachment among the community toward the Oman Al-Makmur Mosque. A mixed-method approach was employed, combining descriptive qualitative and quantitative methods. Data were collected through interviews, questionnaires, field observations, and literature review. The findings indicate that community attachment to the mosque is very strong, as it holds special meaning for visitors. Religious activities emerge as the primary attraction, creating memorable experiences and fostering emotional bonds. In terms of the place dimension, visitors develop attachments to specific areas within the mosque and feel a sense of familiarity with its atmosphere, either because of residential proximity or similarities to mosques in their hometowns. Regarding the process dimension, visitors experience feelings of pride and happiness during their visits and express a strong intention to return. However, the results also show that most visitors have limited knowledge of the mosque’s historical background and architectural characteristics.