Masjid Fathur Rahman Pengkalan Rama Melaka - 1730

"Empathy is truly caring and communicating from your heart while being compassionate, having patience, humility and listening with sincerity..." - Brad Taylor

(Masjid Fathur Rahman Pengkalan Rama, Melaka)

Masjid Pengkalan Rama also known as Masjid Fathur Rahman was built around the 1730s and was later renovated by Datuk Penghulu Abdul Ghani in 1917. He has donated funds to renovate this mosque due to the increase in population which consists of four kariahs, Pengkalan Rama Pantai, Pengkalan Rama Tengah, Durian Daun and Kampung Mata Kuching. The mosque is strategically located in the middle of Melaka City World Heritage area and close to the jetty for tourist boat cruises along the Melaka River.

(Strategically located in the middle of town)

(Has undergone several renovations)

In 1978, this mosque was renovated with funds donated by the public and villagers. In 2004 this mosque was renovated again to expand the prayer area at the back of the mosque.

(Ample parking spaces)

Masjid An-Nur Peringgit, Melaka - 1726

"Man should forget his anger before he lies down to sleep..." - Thomas de Quincey

(Masjid An-Nur Peringgit, Melaka)

Masjid An-Nur Peringgit is located in the Melaka Tengah district. The original Masjid Peringgit built in 1726 has been demolished. The current mosque was built in 1868. It is a typical traditional mosque in Melaka, quadrangular in shape. The building material consists of laterite stone and Dutch-era bricks as the foundation. The floor of the mosque is made of terracotta tiles. Lofts, ridges, window lattices and doors are made of wood. The three-layered roof is the main feature of most mosques in Melaka. The roofing consists of Chinese clay tile for the verandah and Dutch clay tiles on the central and main roofs. The dome is made of carved corals.

(The old mosque was abolished and replaced)

(The main staircase and ablution pool)

In 1978/1979 the State government funded the expansion of the back portion of this mosque with a concrete construction that eliminated the main staircase, the well, the ablution pool, the terracotta flooring and the Dutch-era bricks. The terracotta tiles flooring at the verandah were changed to modern tiles. An additional building was built for Fardu Ain classes for local children.

(Carved wooden doors and windows)

(Serene and peaceful interior)

When the State Mosque was completed in 1988, the Peringgit Mosque was no longer used for Friday prayers due to its proximity and the mosque congregation moved to the State Mosque. The Peringgit Mosque was used by local residents for daily prayers only. Over time restoration was carried out to repair the woodwork that was damaged due to termites and rainwater.

(A large exterior prayer area and graveyards)

Masjid Al-Abrar Semabok, Melaka -1900

"Any fool can criticize,condemn and complain - and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control tobe understanding and forgiving..." Dale Carnegie

(Masjid Al-Abrar Semabok, Melaka)

The Muslim population of Semabok has existed since the 18th century so it was a necessity to build a mosque for the Muslim community. A mosque was constructed around 1900, its tower in 1905. The founder, Tuan Haji Ahmad bin Abd Rauf was a famous scholar and the first Mufti of Melaka during the British era. When the First Penghulu was appointed during the British colonial period, together with the mosque officials, they had brought many changes to Kampung Semabok and made Masjid Semabok even more prestigious and many people are attracted to reside in area. This is proven by rows of old graves with wood and red granite stones around the mosque that reach hundreds of years. With this discovery, it was deduced that there was a mosque around the area dated in the 17th and 18th centuries. According to the old folks, the current site of the Masjid Semabok is also the site of the original mosque.

 

(The mosque is sharing the compound with a school)

Since 1905, the Masjid Semabok used building materials from shingle roof stones. The construction architecture was in tandem with the construction of other old mosques in the city of Melaka such as Masjid Kampung Hulu, Masjid Tranquerah and Masjid Kampung Keling.

 

(Ample parking area around the mosque)

The original shape and size of the mosque were not the same as today because the mosque has been renovated and expanded to accommodate the growing population. Until 1940, the structure of the Masjid Semabok still maintains its original shape, consisting of the main prayer room and the minaret. While the inside has main pillars and an attic to provide air circulation. The outside of the mosque has a spacious verandah without windows similar to the Melaka traditional Malay houses.

(A beautiful green and white minaret)

Masjid Semabok has a large ablution pool. The shape of this pool is similar to that of Masjid Kampung Hulu. The congregation of the mosque use the water from this well to take ablution and also to bathe especially during dry season. While other mosques in the nearby villages still use wood and zinc, Masjid Semabok has taken the lead to use stone, cement and concrete for its construction.

(The history in phases)

The mosque was renovated in the 1970s through the Melaka State Government's allocation and was inaugurated by Y.B. Tun Abdul Ghafar bin Baba. In 1977 it was renovated again.

Masjid Jamek Laksamana Hang Tuah Duyung, Melaka - 1854

"Without forgiveness life is governed by an endless cycles of resentment and retaliation..."

(Masjid Laksamana Hang Tuah Duyung, Melaka)

Masjid Duyung is also known as Masjid Jamek Laksamana Hang Tuah. This mosque was first built by the village community in 1854. The founder of this mosque is known as Wan Chilek. Since that date, it has undergone several renovations. The last renovation was in 2014.

This mosque was originally a surau and was upgraded as a mosque. The building materials consist of wood and red stone (laterite), while the roof is a mixture of Chinese and Dutch clay tiles. The tower next to this mosque was built in 1909 as a place for Muazzin to call for prayers.

(The mosque was originally a surau)

(Innalillah... someone final rite)

In 1967, some changes were made in this mosque. The originally tile roof has been changed to an ardex type roof. Asbestos ceilings have been installed and the mosque stairs have been renovated. In the following year, around the old laterite pool, pipes and a protective roof were installed for the ablution area. The lack of space for prayers has led to additional works being carried out in 1973 and 1976 at the posterior part of the mosque.

(Old graves bordering the mosque)

(The graveyards at the back of the mosque)

In May 1982, a fire broke out in this mosque due to a short circuit. There were some damages to some parts of the mosque. However, the original structure of the mosque was not affected. The cost of repairing this mosque was contributed by the state government and some philanthropists and the local community.

In an effort to accommodate the increasing number of village population, in 1991 the state government build an additional building on the right side of the original building. In 2002, conservation work was carried out by the Department of Museums and Antiquities in an effort to preserve the original architecture of this mosque.

(The brief history of the mosque)

Perigi Hang Tuah, Melaka

“History is a jangle of accidents, blunders, surprises and absurdities, and so is our knowledge of it, but if we are to report it at all we must impose some order upon it...”

(Perigi Hang Tuah, Duyung Melaka)

Perigi Hang Tuah is about 2 meter-deep fresh water well, which is located in Hang Tuah Village, Kampung Duyong, Melaka. It was declared as a historical monument under the Antiquities Act on 29 September 1977.

(Kampung Duyung)

(The Perigi Hang Tuah Complex)

The well is related to the story of Hang Tuah, a leading warrior in the archipelago during the Malacca Malay Sultanate (1398 1511). Hang Tuah Yang, who was born in Kampung Jambatan Duyung, is believed to have dug this well himself for his use. Originally this well was small but over time became large and deep. This well is said to never dry up, even in the long dry season. The water is always clear and is said to have medicinal properties.

(Collecting a bottle of the well water)

(Historical description oh Hang Tuah and friends)

There is also a story that this well is where the spirit of Hang Tuah resides, which incarnated as a white crocodile, known as Buaya Putih Perigi Hang Tuah. It is said that no ordinary people can see this crocodile but only the pious could.

(A surau and a Melaka traditional house)