Day 3 - Jom Jalan! @ Masjid Kapitan Keling, Pulau Pinang.

Assalamualaikum,

After we had our historical escapade at the Pinang Peranakan Mansion (Part I & Part II) and had our cooling Nyonya desserts, we roamed Georgetown some more before we grab our lunch. Saw this beautiful mosque, another historical architecture of Penang, the Kapitan Keling Mosque.

Kapitan Keling Mosque is an Islamic, Mughal & Moorish-style mosque built in the 19th century (1801) by Indian Muslim traders in Georgetown, Penang. It is situated in the corner of Lebuh Buckingham (Buckingham Street) and Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling (Pitt Street) and administered by the Penang Islamic Council.

Keling is a Malay term for people of Indian origin, nowadays considered offensive but not so considered at the time when the mosque was built. The 'Kapitan Keling' was a representative of the Indian community, like the 'Kapitan Cina' for the Chinese community. (source Wikipedia).

This is the oldest, infamous mosque in Penang which was collectively built by the Indian Muslim traders back in those days and named after a prominent Indian Muslim trader back then named Cauder Mydin. It was not only a place of worship but actively made as a community centre for the Indian Muslim community for more than 200 years.

A well at the mosque as the traditional source of water for wudhu' (ablution).

Flags of Malaysia, Pulau Pinang and probably the Penang Islamic Council or Indian Muslim community I assume.

Main entrance.

I find it interesting that  there's a huge poster-like old photo of the mosque compound erected at the compound. I think the old landscape was cool. =)

Historical info found at the mosque.

Here it mentions that it was first built by the East India Company's troops when they arrived at Penang towards the end of the 18th Century. As the population of Indian Muslim settlers grew, a larger and more permanent mosque was necessary. Cauder Mohuddeen (Kadir Mydin) their headman (Kling Kapitan) at that time, applied for a land grant for the new mosque. Eighteen acres was obtained in November 1801 and construction began immediately.

After Cauder Moheddeen's death in 1834, the land ceased to be recognised as a part of the original grant. Public roads and houses were built around the mosque, slowly reducing its area to only 8 acres in 1903. The present mosque was built in 1916 replacing the old building. The dome shaped minaret reflects Islamic architecture with Indian influence.

Alright, since we are speaking so much of Indian Muslims here, it's the perfect time to enjoy a scrumptious, typical Indian Muslim lunch. Later folks. =)

Thanks for reading. =)

XOXO,

Sue