Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh
This well-known mosque, also called Masjid Melayu (Malay Mosque), is located
on the southern end of George Town, on Lebuh Acheh. A witness to a once glorious
past, the Acheh Street Mosque is aesthetically pleasing.
Its structure reflects a strong Moorish (northern Indian) architecture, combined
with Chinese and classical elements visible in the entrance arch, the small
domes on the parapet, classical columns, plaster renderings upon the walls and
mehrab.
And Egyptian style minarets. Next to the mosque lay the cemetery of the mosque's
original benefactor, Tengku Syed Hussain Al-Aidid and members of his family.
The houses surrounding the mosque today is part of the original Muslim
settlement of the mid 19th century. Another interesting mosque in Georgetown
area that are open to visitors is the the Kapitan Keling Mosque.
The Acheh Street Mosque was built in 1808 on land donated by an Achenese
aristocrat, Tengku Syed Hussain Al-Aidid. It all began in 1792 when Tengku Syed
Hussain opened a Muslim settlement in the area near Lebuh Acheh.
Over the following years, this settlement became the centre of Islamic studies
in Pulau Pinang, frequented by traders from the surrounding Malay archipelago,
Arab and India.
he mosque was built alongside houses, shops and a Madrasah for Quranic Studies.
One of the religious figures of the time was Sheikh Omar Basheer Al-Khalilee,
who was succeeded by his son Sheikh Zakaria who later was appointed as the first
Mufti of Pulau Pinang and in 1888, Sheikh Yahya, his older brother, was
appointed as the first Kadi of Pulau Pinang.
Following the demise of Tengku Hussain in mid 1800's, the Lebuh Acheh Muslim
settlement continued to thrive and was at one time referred to as the Second
Jeddah, as pilgrims from nearby congregate here before departing to Mecca by
sea. Every time the Haj season begins, the Lebuh Acheh area is thronged by
pilgrims and their families. However, all this ended with the establishment of
the Lembaga Tabung Haji in the 1970s.
Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh is used by Muslims five times a day, seven days a
week.
Contact Information
Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh
10200 Lebuh Acheh
Pulau Pinang
Opening hours: 9.00 am - 5.00 pm daily
Admission: Free
Travel Advice
It is possible at enter the Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh grounds, however, do
remember to remove your footwear before you enter the mosque building itself.
Getting There
Take the Rapid Penang Bus Nos. 10, 103, 301, 302, 308 and 401 to Pitt Street,
walk down the road to Cannon Street, and you'd see the Acheen Street Mosque at
the end of Medan Cannon. You can also take Rapid Penang Bus Nos. 11, 101, 104,
201, 202, 203, 204 or 206 to nearby Chulia Street, and then walk to Pitt Street
followed by Cannon Street.
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