Kampung Hulu Mosque, Malacca

1. History

Kampung Hulu Mosque is the earliest mosques in Malaysia that was made in 1728 A.D. However, another source states that the mosque was built in 1720 A.D.

The building was accomplished by local inhabitants under the command of the Dutch commander named Shamsudin bin Arom or commonly called Dato Shamsudin. He was a Chinese Muslim descendant who was assigned by the Dutch Government to teach in Kampung Hulu.

The establishment was funded by VOC (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie) that came to Malacca in 1624 A.D. Such encouragement raised the awareness of religious pluralism among the Dutch people at the time. This situation totally differed from the situation, when Malaysia was under the occupancy of Portugal, where the number of shrines, except churches, was fiercely burnt out. As a consequence, many mosques were destroyed including the oldest mosque that now is located on Stadhuyus.

2. Location

Kampung Hulu Mosque lies on the meeting points of Mesjid Street and Kampung Street, Central Malacca, Malacca, Malaysia. The kampung is located in the heart of Malacca City that is densely settled by Chinese traders.

3. Width

(In the process of data collecting)

4. Architecture

Though located in Malaysia, the architecture of the mosque looks like Javanese Joglo style. It is three-tiered pyramid roof with small fissures on each layer for air circulation. Those roofs are supported by four pillars decorated by cunduk on the top. On the peak of the roof, there are some unique ornaments with suluk bayur, crown, and awan larat motifs. According to local inhabitants, the highest roof symbolizes the relationship between human and Allah; the middle roof bears the meaning of social relationship; while the bottom roof depicts the relationship between human and nature. A gable-and-valley roof (Javanese call it Kuncung) glues on the bottom roof of the mosque. Such construction was commonly applied on most of Indonesian mosques at the time.

On the compound, there are four unique entrance doors consisting of two storeys supported by four pillars having Greek style. Each door has a room supported by four stanchions with pyramidal roof. On a shape of cam, there are intricately ornaments influenced by Chinese architecture. Above this door, there is also a stage for placing bedug (skinned drum for signing praying time).

The minaret is octagonal comprising six parts with beautiful flutes on it. On each side of those parts, there is a small ogee window. Entirely, the architecture of the mosque is a unique mixture of Chinese, Malacca, India and European architecture. However, Chinese style is the most dominant one.

Dato Shamsudin, who was a Muslim Chinese descendant, had an enormous influence on the inner building of the mosque. Chinese style is clearly impressed in the room inside the mosque. The floor uses Chinese ceramic tiles imported from China during the Ching dynasty. On the mihrab dome, Chinese ornaments can also be found. In addition, the wall and the roof, the ornaments are dominated by flower motifs.

5. Draftsman

The appropriate draftsman of the mosque has not been revealed yet. Datu Shamsudin was just a coordinator during the building process.

6. Renovation

The mosque had been refurbished by Sheikh Omar bin Hussein al-Attas. This seems that the renovation process has been already made for several times but there is no detailed data about it. 

Photo credit : k41.pbase.com

(NI/ter/01/05-08)

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Comment of "kampung hulu mosque malacca"

20 Jul 2012. Rendra Setyadiharja, S. Sos Salam takzim jari sepuluh kami susunkan, sebenarnya masih banyak tokoh yang berkecimpung dalam dunia melayu, dengan ini saya mencoba memberikan referensi baik yang masih hidup ataupun sudah meninggal 1. Alm. Tusiran Suseno ( pengiat pantun, dan pencentus ide Berbalas pantun terlama yang berhasil masuk MURI, selain itu juga penulis, novelis dan juga budayawan ) 2. H. Ali Achmad ( maestro pantun Kepulauan Riau ) 3. Alm. Mahczumi Daud ( seniman, pengarang )

20 Jul 2012. Rendra Setyadiharja, S. Sos Salam takzim jari sepuluh kami susunkan, sebenarnya masih banyak tokoh yang berkecimpung dalam dunia melayu, dengan ini saya mencoba memberikan referensi baik yang masih hidup ataupun sudah meninggal 1. Alm. Tusiran Suseno ( pengiat pantun, dan pencentus ide Berbalas pantun terlama yang berhasil masuk MURI, selain itu juga penulis, novelis dan juga budayawan ) 2. H. Ali Achmad ( maestro pantun Kepulauan Riau ) 3. Alm. Mahczumi Daud ( seniman, pengarang )

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