Kapitan Keling Mosque

Thursday, May 17 2012

BUILT by Penang’s first Indian Muslim settlers, the Kapitan Keling Mosque got its rather unique name from the head of its community, Cauder Mydin Merican, ubiquitously referred to as Kapitan Keling.

One of the largest and oldest mosques in George Town, it sits on a land (between Lebuh Pitt and Lebuh Chulia) that was granted to the Indian Muslim community by the then Lieutenant Governor of Penang, Sir George Leith, in November 1801 for the building of a "Mohamedan Church forever" (Penang Travel Tips). Read here and here for more on the mosque.

The initial structure was said to be just a basic square building. The Indian Muslim community continued to improve on the façade and the structure even after the death of Kapitan Keling in 1834. The mosque was given a major facelift after the land was gazetted under Ordinan Wakaf (endowment) 1905 following the formation of the Mohammedan and Hindu Endowment Board to set guidelines for trust lands (tanah wakaf) properties.

Its current design which is heavily influenced by the Moghul architectural style showcases domes, turrets, with a series of horseshoe arches decorated with geometric designs outlining its interior aisles. View slideshow below

The mosque is also located in George Town’s Street of Harmony, a trail which showcases some of the country's oldest religious buildings, namely the mosque, St George's Church, Sri Maha Mariamman temple and Goddess of Mercy temple. Read here for more on the street and view here for photos.

A very interesting point to note is Dr Abdul Kalam, ex-Indian president, when on a visit to Penang expressed a dream that every teacher in the world would walk along the street to learn how religions could stand together in unity and harmony. "We want schools in the world to learn righteousness of the heart; one of the schools is the Street of Harmony in Penang." (theSun)

Indeed, George Town’s Unesco World Heritage status as a ‘living intercultural city’ cannot be more evident here.

References