Masjid Al-Istiqomah Kg Sg Tiang Darat, Perak - 1918

“There are three constants in life… change, choice and principles…” – Stephen Covey

(Masjid Al-Istiqomah Kg Sg Tiang Darat)

GPS: 3.913412, 100.746089
03°54′48.28″N 100°44′45.92″E

The mosque is located at Kampung Sungai Tiang Darat, Bagan Datuk.

(A mosque in Kampung Sungai Tiang Darat)

(A tranquil kampung atmosphere)

(Large parking space)

The mosque was built in 1911 which is the closest date traced from the date of the land grant. The establishment of this mosque is the result of communal cooperation and the religious spirit of the early residents of Kampung Sungai Tiang Darat which was pioneered by the former village head, Tuan Haji Noor and assisted by religious scholars, wealthy men and philanthropists from the village.

(Three wooden doors)

(Intricate carvings around the mosque)

(The Geduk and tabuh)

(A large kolah for ablution)

They had endowed six hectares of coconut plantation land for the mosque, one hectare for the cemetery and another four hectares of coconut plantation for a special waqaf for the mosque where the proceeds of sales are for the siak’s allowance. This mosque was historically named Masjid Jami Sungai Tiang Darat. Later it was changed its name to Masjid Al-Istiqomah with the message of steadfastness in all matters related to worship and goodness.

(A beautiful interior)

(Fully carpeted muslimin and muslimat prayer halls)

(Wooden pillars in the prayer hall)

(Spacious and airy)

The mosque adopts Javanese architecture similar to the Indonesian Demak Mosque. Instead of a dome, the centre roofing  is rectangular with sound-proof zinc. Beautiful traditional wood carvings can be seen around the edges. The pagoda-like minaret is concrete based and is situated next to the main building. The mosque has been renovated and upgraded but still maintained the original structure. Extra spaces were added on both sides of the mosque to accommodate for extra parking space on the right side and extended prayer hall for the ladies on the left side. The mosque can easily accommodate more than 500 congregation.

 

(A beautiful mihrab area with Quran verses)

(Collections of Antique clocks) 

(Wooden mimbar and carvings)

(Quranic calligraphy on the ceiling)

At the end of the outer verandah one can find an old beduk and tabuh. The tabuh has aged with time and there is a big hole on one side. The open verandah leads to a covered verandah through three wooden doors. When we stepped into the inner verandah, we were surprised to find a huge ablution kolah as big as a swimming pool!

 

(Posterior view of the mosque)

(Pagoda-like minaret and triple tiered roof)

The fully carpeted main prayer hall and ladies’ hall were spacious with modern glass windows to allow natural lighting and ventilation from outside. This mosque is quite unique and different from other mosques, as there are many solid wooden pillars evenly spaced-out in the prayer hall. What attracted our attention most was the mihrab area which was beautifully decorated with Quranic verses and unique wood carvings. Beautiful calligraphy and carvings can also be found on the walls and the ceiling, one of its kind.

(Graveyard filled with rain water)

(An old Siak house beside the mosque)

(Brightly coloured washrooms)

 

Later, we visited the old Rumah Siak situated next to the mosque. The unoccupied house was still intact and well-preserved. At the back of the mosque was an old cemetery lot, which was badly covered with water, most probably from the recent bout of heavy rain.

 

(Leaving for the town of Bagan Datuk)

It was a pleasant and peaceful experience to perform our prayers and i’tiqaf in this beautiful mosque.