Masjid Al-Hamideen Bukit China, Melaka - 1865

"Be careful with your words. Once they are said, they can be forgiven, not forgotten..."

(Masjid Al-Hamideen Bukit China, Melaka)

Masjid Kampung Bukit China, also known as Masjid Al-Hamideen is a mosque located in Bukit China, Melaka Tengah. Bukit Cina is the largest and oldest burial ground of Melaka’s Chinese community outside of China with over 12,500 graves. The cemetery stretches over 3 hills and also includes 20 Muslim tombs.

Masjid Kampung Bukit Cina was built in 1865 from public donations and renovation and expansion were carried out in 1978. The uniqueness of this mosque lies in the shape of the roof and its architecture which resembles most of the earliest mosques in Melaka.

(Unique roof architectural design)

A note written in Jawi on the wood engraving of the door of the 160-year-old mosque confirms that the house of worship was built as a result of the mutual cooperation of the residents, thus revealing the history of its construction. In fact, the meaning of the verses clearly emphasize the spirit of cooperation and the love of religion and God.

"1861 (12 Ramadan hari Isnin) dewasa ini ada menyatakan zaman penghulu Haji Hasan Abd Rahman, berkampung muafakat sekalian orang tua-tua segala anak buah mendirikan satu masjid tempat sekalian hamba Allah SWT berhenti sembahyang di dalam kampung Bukit Antahi."

The writing on the wood engraving is still in good condition and clear and a proof that Masjid Kampung Bukit Cina was built in 1861. This mosque was built with a mixture of stone and belian wood and still retains its original features. Some renovation works were carried out to ensure that this mosque remains strong. The pillars, walls, stones and mimbar of the mosque retain the original materials. This mosque still keeps the old bedok and ketuk-ketuk that are used to determine the time for prayer, breaking of fast, as well as if there is a death among the residents. The attic of the mosque is also still in good condition. The door of the mosque that was built using belian wood is also still strong.

(The mosque interior)

(The mimbar and the main prayer hall)

In the olden days, there were many residences in the area of Bukit Cina Luar and Dalam, Lorong Bukit Cina, Bunga Raya Pantai and Jalan Bukit Cina. However, aggressive development has resulted in only about 40 homes remaining in the village. However, there are still many jemaah for Friday prayers because the village is located within the Melaka City area.

The original well of this mosque still remains. It will be used if the village area and Melaka City have water problems. The water crisis in 1990 made the well the focus of the public for water supply because it never ran dry.

(Metro 30/4/2021)