Kampung Kling Mosque, Melaka

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the mimbar or pulpet is the central feature of a mosque

for the imam to address the congregational prayers

kg kling mosque mimbar has elaborate designs

reflecting malay n sumatran influences

framed by columns and arches decorated in gold and silver paint

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layout is functional and has the usual features of a mosque

minaret for muezzin call to prayers

includes a pool for water storage

madrasah and residential area

cooking area for festivities

and cemetary for those departed

hence giving a reminder of the hereafter

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one of the main stops for trishaw rides is harmony street...

home to kling mosque and indian and chinese temples

reflecting melaka's varied and harmonious past and present

also hang jebat's mousaleum

"hai hang tuah
jika kau benar benar lelaki
turun lah beradu dengan jebat!!"

Architecturally interesting, the Kampung Kling Mosque is one of the oldest surviving mosques in the country. The Sumatran influence is very apparent from its three-tiered pyramid-shaped roof, in place of the more conventional dome. The free-standing minaret resembles a pagoda, again reflecting an infusion of Oriental influences.

Freshly painted, it continues to serve faithfully as a popular venue of worship for the local Muslim community.

The mosque is open to visitors but do observe the rules and common practices of the Muslim premises. (e.g. do not, among other things, appear in short-sleeve T-shirts, short pants or mini skirts)

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As it is usual in Malaysia, worship places of the most varied faiths stand almost door to door in Malacca. This is the case the city's most interesting mosque, an XVIII century building whose architecture is inspired in the Sumatran mosques.

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The old mosque in Melaka didn't especially blow me over, since it didn't have the kind of ornate architecture that one is used to when one visits special religious sites. Maybe because it wasn't such an 'ooooh and ahhhhh' that's amazing type of place that made it worth a visit.

It could be memorable to me, in fact, because I made a faux pas. Although my shoes were off, I wasn't really supposed to go into the main prayer hall, well, because I'm non-Muslim and I'm a woman. The main who shooed me out of the prayer hall couldn't have been nicer, and, well, I couldn't have felt like more insensitive Western traveler if I tried. Oh well, live and learn, I guess...but I know for next time!

I believe it was one of the first mosques built in the country....and it's done on a lovely scale.

The Kumpung Kling mosque is the oldest mosque in Melaka. Right smack in town, it is only a short walk from Jonker Street. The mosque's design is very Melakan, as in, you will be nice glazed tiles of the "historic era". At the back of the mosque, you will find the area where workshippers clean themselves before entering the prayer hall. Only muslims are allowed to enter the prayer hall and if you are not appropriately attired, grab one of the black robes which are available for use.

Though famously known as the Masjid Kampung Kling, the mosque is also known by a few other names such as Masjid Kampung Pali (Kampung Pali Mosque), Masjid Kampung Balik Pali (Kampung Balik Pali Mosque) and Masjid Kampung Kapur (Kampung Kapur Mosque).

Built in 1748, it is one of the oldest mosques in the country thats features Sumatran architectural predominantly. Instead of a typical conventional dome, the mosque has a three-tier roof rising like a pyramid in its place. Its pagoda-like minaret portrays a mixture of East-West architectural influence. The concrete minaret is located separately from the main block on the west wing while an ablution pool is located in the south wing. A special device made from marble to tell the prayer times is located just beside the pool, a remain of the days when clock was not widely used then.

The site of the Mosque is said to be the exact spot where the Indian Muslim traders, who came to Melaka to trade their goods and wares in the 14th and 15th century, had performed their prayers on arrival in Melaka. The beach, which is today located a few kilometers from this site, is said to be the usual landing spots for traders from the Indian sub-continent. The traders continued to use the site for their rituals and before long, the locals started learning from these traders and as a result, more and more locals converted to Islam.

Masjid Kampung Kling and its neighbours Cheng Hoon Teng Temple and Sri Poyatha Venayaga Moorthi Temple form part of the "street of harmony", a symbolic exemple of racial and religous tolerent that have long be in existence in the country.