Masjid Al-Akram Kg. Balun Bidai, Perak - 1862

“Happy is the man who can make a living by his hobby...” - George Bernard Shaw

(Masjid Al-Akram Kg. Balun Bidai, Perak)

4.210569, 100.912163
04°12′38.05″N 100°54′43.79″E

Kampung Balun Bidai is located about 8 kilometers to the northeast of Kampung Gajah Town.

The majority of the residents of this village are Banjars. They are known as the Banjar ethnic group in conjunction with the place of origin of their homeland which is Banjarmasin. They use a language known as Melayu Banjar. Many Banjars migrated to the Malay Peninsula when there was a conflict between the Dutch and the people of Kalimantan.

(Located in a Palm Oil Plantation) 

(Finally, managed to located the old mosque)

(Inspired by the Banjars in the19th century)

The mosque located in Kampung Balun Bidai is an old mosque that is not known when its construction began. The construction of this mosque was inspired by the Banjar people who came to Malaya in the 19th century. At that time, this area did not have a mosque because it was believed that there were no residents yet. The Banjar people are also the group responsible for opening the village here. All the Banjar community is Muslim. The mosque was built based on the characteristics of the Banjar community applying the elements of mosque architecture brought from their place of origin which is Banjarmasin, Indonesia.

(Frontal view of the 3-tier structure)

(Side views of Masjid Al-Ikram)

The walls of this mosque have been painted yellow and have five entrances. It looks like a wooden house. In addition, there are four main pillars that stand majestically in the middle of the mosque. The main pillar of this mosque is made of ulin wood. There are four more smaller supporting pillars. The uniqueness of this mosque is also significantly different from other mosques because it has 35 steps ladder inside the mosque used to access the roof of the mosque for repair and replacement of damaged or leaking roofs. Previously, the roof of this mosque was made of a type of wood brought from Banjarmasin. The roof has been replaced with a more durable shingle roof.

(Learning the history rom the care-taker)

(An old historical mosque is standing strong)

Now Masjid Al-Akram has been replaced by the new Masjid AL-Azhar and is now no longer in use. We had the opportunity to meet with the caretaker of the mosque and listen to some of the tales regarding the existence of this old mosques.

(One for the album)