Masjid Nerasau, Negeri Sembilan - 1834

“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game...” - Babe Ruth

(Masjid Nerasau Negeri Sembilan)

 

GPS: 02°32′13.55″N 102°07′09.16″E
2.537098, 102.11921

(Crossing Rembau river to Kampung Penajis Merasau)

(A faded signage and the mosque)

It was almost noon when we reached Masjid Nerasau. Unfortunately the grill to the main prayer hall was locked but the wooden door was slightly ajar, giving opportunity for us to snap some pictures after we performed our prayers along the carpeted corridor. 

(Peaceful and quiter atmosphere)

(It was built in1834, the oldest in Rembau)

(A unique roof instead of a dome)

Masjid Nerasau located in kampung Penajis Merasa is the oldest mosque in Rembau district, Negeri Sembilan. It was built in 1834 by the locals led by Tuan Haji Abdul Jalil bin Abdul Rahman. The mosque has been renovated in 1985. Since then, the mosque has undergone several minor renovations, however, the renovation did not change the originality of the mosque. The facade and the four pillars from kayu chengal emas in the prayer hall which give support to the structure of the mosque remain. Even the mihrab and mimbar are in their original form.

(The old tabuh on display at the corridor)

(Made of hollow tree trunk and cow hide)

(Old graves beside the mosque)

(Air stones for cool ventilation)

(Performed our prayers at the corridor)

There are similarities of design and shape of the mimbars of Masjid Nerasau and Masjid Kg Selemak which we visited earlier. Between the two, the mimbar of masjid Nerasau has a more detail inscriptions. It states the time, date and place of birth of the skilled sculptor, Baba Husin who was from Jepara, Central Java, Indonesia.

The mimbar of Masjid Nerasau is about 185 years old while the Masjid Kampung Selemak is 179 years old. Based on the design and information from the inscriptions, the two pulpits were carved by the same individual.

(Mimbar similar to that of Masjid Kg Selemak)

(The four main pillars are made of kayu chengal)

The inscription is in Jawi and has been translated as: "Hijrah Nabi S.A.W sanah 1,254 iaitu tahun di antara hari bulan Jamadil Akhir hari Isnin waktu Dhuha maka adalah Tuan Haji Jalil Abdul Rahman ia memelihara Masjid An Nur. Tukangnya orang Jawa nama Baba Husin Jepara Barongan," - Sinar Harian

(One of the oldest mosque in Negeri Sembilan)

(leaving for the next mosque on the list)

(Older signage by the roadside)

On the way to our next destination we saw a nice Minangkabau building and drove into the compound and snapped some photos. The building looks abandoned.

(Minangkabau House in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan)