Reflections of my life

Tuesday, 6 December 2022

Masjid Bagan Air Itam Jalan Baru, Penang - 1870

“You choose the life you live. If you don’t like it, it’s on you to change it because no one else is going to do it for you...” - Kim Kiyosaki

(Masjid Bagan Air Itam Jalan Baru)

GPS: 5.357683, 100.21032
05°21′27.66″N 100°12′37.15″E

Masjid Bagan Air Itam Mosque Jalan Baru was originally built in the 1870s. It is said that the pillars supporting the mosque were chiseled rocks from the area of Tok Gambut, Sg.Pinang, about 3 km from Bagan Air Itam. As many as 14 stone pillars of 20 feet long and a foot wide were transported using bullock-carts to the site of the mosque to be used as supporting pillars. The hard work of the villagers had succeeded in building this historic mosque. Unfortunately, no one knows how, when and who built this mosque, although it stands majestically as one of the oldest treasures in this area.

(The mosque view from the back)

(The main entrance)

(The history of Masjid Bagan Air Itam)

(The main prayer hall)

(The original stone pillars in the prayer hall)

A hundred years have passed, the increase in population and congestion during Friday prayers have inspired the qariah to rebuild this mosque. During the initial stage starting in 1994 and over several years, the mosque committee set up donation fund and collected contribution from donors. For their efforts, perseverance and patience, they managed to collect RM600,000 before the construction project began. All funds, whether in monetary form or building materials, were from public donations.

(Muslimat prayer area and a stain glass window)

(A wide airy corridor)

(The graveyard behind the mosque)

In June 2000 Masjid Bagan Air Itam's new mosque was inaugurated by its imam, Tuan Haji Saad bin Mat Lazim, a respected community leader and the Chairman of the Mosque Construction Authority.

(An old kampung house nearby)

Masjid Al-Mokhtar Daerah Barat Daya Balik Pulau, Penang - 2004

“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate...” - Oprah Winfrey

(Masjid Al-Mokhtar Daerah Barat Daya Balik Pulau)

GPS: 5.33988, 100.22229
05°20′23.57″N 100°13′20.24″E

The new Masjid Al-Mokhtar of Balik Pulau is a new modern mosque. It is situated next to a Nasi Arab Mandi restaurant. Opposite the mosque is the shariah Lower Court and on the left side of the mosque is the Magistrate Court and the district's public library.

(The signage of the mosque at the main gate)

(Very big parking area to cater for buses and cars)

(Staircase leading to the main entrance)

This mosque was inaugurated by the Governor of Penang in 2004. The mosque has a Middle Eastern design concept and is combined with the use of modern building materials. It is also equipped with modern facilities.

(One of the many entrances)

(The main prayer area)

(The pulpit area and the mimbar)

Masjid Al-Mokhtar is strategically located in the middle of Balik Pulau town. Sales expo and food carnival are often organized in the spacious mosque parking lot. This mosque is also a focal point during the fasting month because of its Ramadan bazaar. The mosque is always busy with weekly religious classes and activities.

(Middle Eastern design and architecture)

(Motorcycle parking area and children playground)

(Syariah Lower Court and Restoran Selera Warisan)

Masjid at-Taqwa Kongsi, Penang - 1882

“We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.” — Jimmy Carter

(Masjid at-Taqwa Kongsi, Penang)

GPS: 5.34847, 100.23216
05°20′54.49″N 100°13′55.78″E

Masjid At-Taqwa Kongsi is located about a kilometer from Balik Pulau Town. The name 'Kongsi' is taken in conjunction with the longhouses shared by the Chinese in the Balik Pulau town area which is not far from Kampung Kongsi. According to the local tales, the mosque was opened by a Peranakan Jawi who was sent by the British East India Company to serve as a headman in the area. His name was Dato' Bahauddin, also known as Bahauddin Haji.

(The signage of the mosque)

(Met with Siak of the mosque)

(The new renovated Masjid Kongsi)

In the beginning, a surau was built by the people of the Balik Pulau, the majority of whom were refugees during the Siamese attack on Kedah in 1821. The mosque was upgraded by Dato' Bahauddin on the same site. Several renovation and expansion works were carried out and the mosque was fully built in 1882.

(The pulpit area of the main prayer hall)

(A unique wheeled casket carrier)

This mosque has created a 'drive thru' concept for tabung masjid with safety features. This tabung is placed in a strategic location to make it convenient for the public to make a 'drive thru' donation to Masjid At-Taqwa Kongsi.

(Notices and signages)

(An interesting bakery)

Belimbing Corner Cafe Telok Bahang

"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well..." - Virgina Woolfe

(Belimbing Corner Cafe Telok Bahang)

Belimbing Corner Cafe in Telok Bahang has been around since 1998. The specialty of this cafe is their gigantic Roti Jala which come with either Chicken or Beef Curry.

There are varieties of other breakfast dishes on the menu.

(Western breakfast)

(Roti Sarang Burung for me)

Hameed PATA Special Mee Sotong

“Food is our common ground, a universal experience” – James Beard

(Hameed PATA Mee Sotong)

It was already lunch time and we drove to the waterfront Esplanade to have lunch at the food court next to Fort Cornwallis.

The waterfront Esplanade features historical landmarks, such as the Cenotaph war memorial and Fort Cornwallis, scenic promenades and access to several museums of art and culture. Architectural gems include Penang City Hall, which combines Edwardian Baroque and Palladian styles. Cafes, restaurants and bars dot the area, and there’s a handful of hotels. The ferry port offers trips to Butterworth and Langkawi Island.

Hameed Pata Mee Goreng in Padang Kota Lama food court is said to serve one of the best mee goreng in Penang.