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Kapitan Keling Mosque

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Koentje3000
Koentje3000
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Kapitan Keling Mosque

  • September 23, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Koentje3000 from Hamme, Belgium
Kapitan Keling Mosque

The Kapitan Kling mosque (Masjid Kapitan Keling in Malaysian) is one of the largest and oldest on Penang island. The large square central prayer hall was built at the beginning of the 19th century, facing towards the Muslim Holy city of Mecca according to the islamic Kiblat rule. Only 100 years later the mosque reached its present shape with the addition of the minaret tower and the replacement of the then roof by a large onion-shaped copper dome. The ochre yellow domes were painted black during the 2003 restoration of the mosque.

The mosque is located in Jalan Masjid Kapitan Kling (also known as Pitt Street), near shuttle bus stop 15. The entrance to the mosque is free, but you should register at the small office near the entrance gates. They will provide you some information on the mosque and on Islam in general. The dress code in the mosque is rather strict, but they will provide you the correct attire for free if you are not properly dressed according to them.

The building was supposedly founded by Cadeer Mohideen, the headman of the South-Indian Muslim settlers in Penang during the early 19th century. The mosque's name comes directly from this man and means Captain of the Kelings, the group of local leaders of British South-India during these days. Nearby Acheen Street mosque, on the spot where Lebuh Cannon runs into Acheen Street (Lebuh Acheh), was built in the same period by Hussain Al-Aidid, an Achehnese (North-Sumatra) Muslim of Arab descent and member of the Acheh royal family. It was constructed as a prayer building for the Penang Muslim population of Arab, Malay and Chinese descent, rivalling the Masjid Kapitan Keling. Still these days this split continues, with Indian Muslims flocking the Kapitan Kling and Muslims of other descent praying in the Acheen Street mosque. During its restoration at the end of the 20th century the towering minaret and the mosque were painted in its present blue and white colours. Visiting conditions are similar for both mosques, but the Acheen Street mosque entrance is a little harder to find. It is the unmarked small passage in Lebuh Acheh, just opposite Lebuh Cannon, next to the remarkable minaret.

From journal Pulau Pinang - As Chinese as it Gets in Malaysia

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