Kampung Hulu Mosque's 283 years of history
Features My Kampung 2011-05-28 18:12
Kampung Hulu Mosque in 1910s. Photo courtesy: University of Singapore
1 of 3
Translated by LIM YAN TING
Sin Chew Daily
MELAKA: Kampung Hulu Mosque was built in the year 1728 during the Dutch colonisation. It is one of the oldest and yet still fully functional mosque in the country, the other one being Peringgit Mosque.
Kapitan Dato Shamsuddin Along, leader of the Malay community, was the one who built this 283-year-old mosque.
It has been said that the Kapitan was originally from China and was also called Sun Shih-Lin. He met a shipwreck on his way from China to Melaka and vowed that he would embrace Islam if his life was eventually saved.
A blend of cultures
Kampung Hulu Mosque boasts a combination of architectural styles including those from the Netherlands, Sumatra, China, etc. It has an Indonesian style three-tiered square roof, with the corner of the roof slightly raised.
There are floral designs decorated with shoal rock and glass chips, as well as a solid yet curvy octagonal round tower that looks more like a lighthouse but is actually the tower of light in Islam that summonses the faithfuls to pray five times a day.
Bricks were added to the Kampung Hulu Mosque to reinforce the structure in the year 1892.
Postcard 1: Black roof tiles of 1910s
One of the postcards shows the Kampung Hulu Mosque with the black roof tiles in 1910's. In the picture we can see that the rooftop of the mosque was covered with tiles, the sliding door with brick wall. Rickshaws and attap-roofed bullock-carts could be seen on the road.
However, from the picture taken from today's angle, we can clearly see that the wall has been expanded; and changes were made to the original door. The Chinese style round roof behind the mosque has been torn down and replaced by a squarish modern building.
Postcard 2: White rooftop covered with zinc
From another postcard, the Kampung Hulu mosque with a white rooftop could be more recent than the one on the previous postcard. We can see that the roof of the mosque was covered with zinc, and there were vehicles on the road that looked much more modern than the bullock-carts.
You can also see the Melaka River not too far away from the front of the mosque. The building on the left behind has disappeared and changed, whereas some buildings on the right behind the mosque have been demolished.
From the most recent picture, it can be seen that on the left hand side of the river are a row of four-and-a-half storey buildings built about 30 years ago.
Kampung Hulu Mosque's appearance is still pretty much the same today as two centuries ago, only that the surroundings have changed drastically over the years.
The 283-year-old mosque remains an important place for Muslims to visit and offer their prayers.
MELAKA - UNESCO World Heritage City since 2008. GPS: 2°11'58"N 102°15'02"E
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
MELAKA RIVER EMBANKMENT IN FRONT OF STADTHUYS COLLAPSES
A sorry sight: The embankment along Sungai Melaka was ruined after the soil underneath the pedestrian pathway gave way and collapsed near Stadhuys on Wednesday.
Friday May 27, 2011
Malacca river bank collapses
MALACCA: Part of an embankment along Sungai Melaka here, believed to have been built during the early days of the British colonial era, has collapsed.
The over 100-year-old structure, which collapsed on Wednesday night, could have become weakened following heavy overnight rain in the city.
The rain also triggered a landslip along the river bank.
Malacca Historical City Council's mayor Zainal Abu, who visited the site yesterday, said remedial work on the damaged portion would be carried out at once.
He said the embankment was believed to have collapsed between 8pm and 9pm.
“We will get a contractor to assess the damages and the cost of reconstructing the structure,” he said, adding that the materials used in the earlier construction would be retrieved in a bid to preserve the original structure.
“We will do our best to maintain all the past structural elements that crumbled due to the soil erosion,” he said.
Three stalls operating along the damaged site would also be temporarily relocated until the reconstruction had been completed, added Zainal.
The Star
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
PROPOSED MELAKA PROJECTS
Melaka proposes four infrastructure projects under budget 2012
Business News 2011-05-23 15:30
MELAKA, May 23 (Bernama) -- A coastal highway between Melaka and Port Dickson and a flood mitigation project are among four infrastructure projects proposed by the Melaka government in Budget 2012 to be tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Oct 7.
Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the other projects were upgrading of the Ayer Keroh expressway and a drainage and sewage project.
"These projects are crucial to provide better facilities for the people and accommodate the rapid development in Melaka," he told reporters here after a visit to Pekan Bukit Baru here today.
He said the existing infrastructure, like drains, could not accommodate the rapid development in the state, resulting in flash floods to occur.
Mohd Ali said the upgrading of the Ayer Keroh expressway, which would involve construction of a flyover at the intersection of the Melaka International Trade Centre and at the Istana intersection near the Pantai Hospital, was vital as it served as the main entry point to the state.
"I will also request to have a tram service between Ayer Keroh and the Melaka town center to reduce congestion on the Ayer Keroh expressway," he added.
In another development, Mohd Ali said the state government had spent RM4.9 million to pay compensation to owners of 26 houses and shops in Pekan Bukit Baru to make way for new development at the site.
The site would be developed with the construction of a three-storey building comprising 43 shops and work on the project would begin in August, he added.
MySinchew 2011.05.23
Business News 2011-05-23 15:30
MELAKA, May 23 (Bernama) -- A coastal highway between Melaka and Port Dickson and a flood mitigation project are among four infrastructure projects proposed by the Melaka government in Budget 2012 to be tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Oct 7.
Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the other projects were upgrading of the Ayer Keroh expressway and a drainage and sewage project.
"These projects are crucial to provide better facilities for the people and accommodate the rapid development in Melaka," he told reporters here after a visit to Pekan Bukit Baru here today.
He said the existing infrastructure, like drains, could not accommodate the rapid development in the state, resulting in flash floods to occur.
Mohd Ali said the upgrading of the Ayer Keroh expressway, which would involve construction of a flyover at the intersection of the Melaka International Trade Centre and at the Istana intersection near the Pantai Hospital, was vital as it served as the main entry point to the state.
"I will also request to have a tram service between Ayer Keroh and the Melaka town center to reduce congestion on the Ayer Keroh expressway," he added.
In another development, Mohd Ali said the state government had spent RM4.9 million to pay compensation to owners of 26 houses and shops in Pekan Bukit Baru to make way for new development at the site.
The site would be developed with the construction of a three-storey building comprising 43 shops and work on the project would begin in August, he added.
MySinchew 2011.05.23
Monday, May 16, 2011
HAPPY WESAK DAY TO ALL BUDDHISTS
Tomorrow is Wesak Day for all Buddhists. Wesak is the birthday,Enlightment day and Death date of Gautama Buddha who preached
Buddhism to the world more than 2,500 years ago.
May we extend our Wesak greetings to all Buddhists on this auspicious occasion. It is our time to remember the Teachings of Buddha and practice the Middle Path so that we can reach Enlightment in our own lives.
Let us remember that our lives in this physical world are transient. Our lives are not permanent but we should strive towards Enlightenment so that we can break the vicious cycle of Rebirth. Being Born is suffering and to end our suffering, we must work towards Nirvana where we can break our Rebirth.
Don't be afraid of Death, Beware of Birth.
Death is the beginning of rebirth
Living is on the way to death.
Cessation of suffering means no rebirth.
This is the Truth of no Rebirth (Nirvana)
HAPPY WESAK.
Buddhism to the world more than 2,500 years ago.
May we extend our Wesak greetings to all Buddhists on this auspicious occasion. It is our time to remember the Teachings of Buddha and practice the Middle Path so that we can reach Enlightment in our own lives.
Let us remember that our lives in this physical world are transient. Our lives are not permanent but we should strive towards Enlightenment so that we can break the vicious cycle of Rebirth. Being Born is suffering and to end our suffering, we must work towards Nirvana where we can break our Rebirth.
Don't be afraid of Death, Beware of Birth.
Death is the beginning of rebirth
Living is on the way to death.
Cessation of suffering means no rebirth.
This is the Truth of no Rebirth (Nirvana)
HAPPY WESAK.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
FIREFLY-MELAKA AIR TO TAKE OFF ON 11.11.11
Saturday May 14, 2011
FireFly-Melaka Air will boost state as tourist destination
BY R.S.N.MURALI
murali@thestar.com.my
MALACCA: The Batu Berendam International airport here is poised to get a stimulus with a new airline interested in turning the facility into its air transportation hub.
Servicing seven air routes between Thailand, Indonesia and local sectors, the FireFly-Melaka Air is expected to make its maiden flight on Nov 11, 2011, symbolising the favourite numbers for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak - (11/11/11).
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said NN Flyers, a aviation company based in Kuala Lumpur who holds an equity of 90% in the company will collaborate with state-owned agency, Yayasan Melaka, who owns a 10% share in the airlines.
Affordable air travel: Budget carriers like Firefly is making transit time faster for busy people.
“NNFlyers will lease the ATR-72 aircraft from MAS affiliate FireFly with the cost of USD190,000 where the collaboration will be known as Firefly-Melaka Air,” he said after chairing the weekly Exco meeting here on Wednesday.
Mohd Ali added that the airlines will serve Medan, Pekan Baru, Padang and Pelembang in Indonesia, Hatyai in Thailand while Penang and Kota Baru are the two local routes.
The frequency of flights are between three to four times in a week while the ticket prices are expected to be announced later.
Mohd Ali said he had calculated the maintenance of each aircraft at RM800,000 including the salaries of crew members of the new airline.
“We anticipate the revenue of the new airline to be lucrative considering that Malacca is a top tourist destination,” he said.
He also noted that two other airlines Wings Air and Riau Airlines that have landing rights at the airport here would not be affected by the debut of the new service.
The airt transporation providers currently serves Pekan Baru-Malacca-Pekan Baru with frequencies of three flights, a week.
On a separate matter, Mohd Ali announced that foreigners will be granted to procure properties here that cost more than RM200,000 but with the condition that they have to fork out a levy of 2%.
He said the new ruling will take effect immediately where the revenue collected from such levies would be used to aid the needy in the state.
Mohd Ali added that the collection will be channelled to state Public Aid Fund where the fund would be wisely utilised to aid the locals who are in need of financial assistances.
He said the state hoped to yield some type of revenue due from the property boom in the state, especially with the overwhelming demand from foreigners, especially Singaporeans who are keen to own properties here.
FireFly-Melaka Air will boost state as tourist destination
BY R.S.N.MURALI
murali@thestar.com.my
MALACCA: The Batu Berendam International airport here is poised to get a stimulus with a new airline interested in turning the facility into its air transportation hub.
Servicing seven air routes between Thailand, Indonesia and local sectors, the FireFly-Melaka Air is expected to make its maiden flight on Nov 11, 2011, symbolising the favourite numbers for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak - (11/11/11).
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said NN Flyers, a aviation company based in Kuala Lumpur who holds an equity of 90% in the company will collaborate with state-owned agency, Yayasan Melaka, who owns a 10% share in the airlines.
Affordable air travel: Budget carriers like Firefly is making transit time faster for busy people.
“NNFlyers will lease the ATR-72 aircraft from MAS affiliate FireFly with the cost of USD190,000 where the collaboration will be known as Firefly-Melaka Air,” he said after chairing the weekly Exco meeting here on Wednesday.
Mohd Ali added that the airlines will serve Medan, Pekan Baru, Padang and Pelembang in Indonesia, Hatyai in Thailand while Penang and Kota Baru are the two local routes.
The frequency of flights are between three to four times in a week while the ticket prices are expected to be announced later.
Mohd Ali said he had calculated the maintenance of each aircraft at RM800,000 including the salaries of crew members of the new airline.
“We anticipate the revenue of the new airline to be lucrative considering that Malacca is a top tourist destination,” he said.
He also noted that two other airlines Wings Air and Riau Airlines that have landing rights at the airport here would not be affected by the debut of the new service.
The airt transporation providers currently serves Pekan Baru-Malacca-Pekan Baru with frequencies of three flights, a week.
On a separate matter, Mohd Ali announced that foreigners will be granted to procure properties here that cost more than RM200,000 but with the condition that they have to fork out a levy of 2%.
He said the new ruling will take effect immediately where the revenue collected from such levies would be used to aid the needy in the state.
Mohd Ali added that the collection will be channelled to state Public Aid Fund where the fund would be wisely utilised to aid the locals who are in need of financial assistances.
He said the state hoped to yield some type of revenue due from the property boom in the state, especially with the overwhelming demand from foreigners, especially Singaporeans who are keen to own properties here.
Friday, May 13, 2011
May 13, 2011 21:06 PM
'Bahtera Merdeka', A New Tourist Attraction In Melaka
MELAKA, May 13 (Bernama) -- 'Bahtera Merdeka', an amphitheatre in the shape of a ship from yesteryear, is set to be a new tourist attraction in Melaka when it is open to the public by year-end.
Mohd Nizar Mohd Najib, who heads Pekan Legasi Sdn Bhd, the company responsible for building the new attraction, said Bahtera Merdeka would have a 472-seat capacity and could be transformed to accommodate special functions.
"We began building Bahtera Merdeka in October, last year," he told a press conference after a signing ceremony between the company and SME Bank here Friday.
The bank was represented by its managing director, Datuk Mohd Radzif Mohd Yunus.
Mohd Nizar said the project was 70 per cent completed and cost RM25 million. SME Bank is giving a RM18.3 million loan to finance the project.
He said Bahtera Merdeka would offer visitors a 5-D show on a water screen to relate the birth of Melaka through the year of prosperity until the beginning of Malaysia.
"We will run the show five times daily and expect to lure about 10,000 visitors a month," he said, adding that ticket prices would be between RM40 and RM60 per person.
The project, part of the first phase of the Melaka Alive project located in the World Heritage Site, also comprises a facelift to the History Museum, Maritime Museum and the Warisan Museum Complex.
Mohd Nizar said, the second phase of Melaka Alive project which cost more than RM41.4 million, was expected to begin in the first quarter of next year and take two years to finish, focusing on the upgrading of the site and assets of existing museums.
Meanwhile, Perbadanan Muzium Melaka general manager Khamis Abas said the Melaka Alive project, aimed at giving a facelift to the World Heritage Site, would revolutionise the way people viewed history.
-- BERNAMA
We provide (subscription-based)
news coverage in our Newswire service.
Back Top
'Bahtera Merdeka', A New Tourist Attraction In Melaka
MELAKA, May 13 (Bernama) -- 'Bahtera Merdeka', an amphitheatre in the shape of a ship from yesteryear, is set to be a new tourist attraction in Melaka when it is open to the public by year-end.
Mohd Nizar Mohd Najib, who heads Pekan Legasi Sdn Bhd, the company responsible for building the new attraction, said Bahtera Merdeka would have a 472-seat capacity and could be transformed to accommodate special functions.
"We began building Bahtera Merdeka in October, last year," he told a press conference after a signing ceremony between the company and SME Bank here Friday.
The bank was represented by its managing director, Datuk Mohd Radzif Mohd Yunus.
Mohd Nizar said the project was 70 per cent completed and cost RM25 million. SME Bank is giving a RM18.3 million loan to finance the project.
He said Bahtera Merdeka would offer visitors a 5-D show on a water screen to relate the birth of Melaka through the year of prosperity until the beginning of Malaysia.
"We will run the show five times daily and expect to lure about 10,000 visitors a month," he said, adding that ticket prices would be between RM40 and RM60 per person.
The project, part of the first phase of the Melaka Alive project located in the World Heritage Site, also comprises a facelift to the History Museum, Maritime Museum and the Warisan Museum Complex.
Mohd Nizar said, the second phase of Melaka Alive project which cost more than RM41.4 million, was expected to begin in the first quarter of next year and take two years to finish, focusing on the upgrading of the site and assets of existing museums.
Meanwhile, Perbadanan Muzium Melaka general manager Khamis Abas said the Melaka Alive project, aimed at giving a facelift to the World Heritage Site, would revolutionise the way people viewed history.
-- BERNAMA
We provide (subscription-based)
news coverage in our Newswire service.
Back Top
SIKH ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE TO MELAKA
Malacca pilgrimage
tabla!
Fri, May 13, 2011
By Surendar Kaur
DON'T be surprised if you don't see too many Sikhs in Singapore next weekend. Most of us will be in Malacca from May 20 to 22 for prayers at the Gurdwara Sahib Malacca.
The weekend of prayers draws thousands of Sikhs and others from Malaysia and Singapore to the Jalan Temenggong gurdwara. They go to pay their respects to the late Baba Sohan Singh who spread the Sikh religion with his inspiring discussions and speeches.
Ever since he died on May 24, 1972, after a short illness, the Gurdwara Sahib Malacca commemorates the date by holding an Akhand Path (continuous recitation of the Sikh sacred religious texts for approximately 21/2 days) and prayers annually. Popularly known as Baba Sohan Singh's Barsi, it is a time to pray for whatever help they seek and also express gratitude for the help received.
I, for one, have been making this annual pilgrimage to Malacca for the past 17 years. The first time, in 1994, I prayed to be blessed with a child. My daughter was born a year later - call it divine or medical intervention, but my husband and I were thrilled - and since then we make sure we are at Gurdwara Sahib Malacca every year.
Apart from the prayers, I also enjoy the social aspect of this pilgrimage. With so many Sikhs descending on Malacca for the weekend - thousands drive up from Singapore or charter buses for the trip while even more arrive from other Malaysian cities and towns - hotels are packed and room reservations have to be made very early.
In the temple, we attend the prayer sessions and do sewa (performing a service) which can include helping to prepare food and serving it to the devotees.
And this is where the weekend takes on a multiracial flavour: Not only does the temple serve free food to anyone who walks in and takes a seat in the dining area, many Chinese volunteers provide items like you tiao (fried crullers) and soya bean drinks while south Indians cook thosais or pratas for breakfast.
In addition, there is a blood donation drive, with medical teams in attendance, while a pasar malam (night market) always springs up outside the temple with stalls selling Punjabi outfits, CDs, Indian sweets and many other items.
While some people shop, others do some sightseeing. A common sight during the weekend is elderly women riding in a cycle rickshaw which has Hindi music blaring from its huge speakers. And once night falls, a bhangra night is also organised for the youngsters to have some fun.
For my family and me, this is a great outing where we combine our religious duties with some shopping and fun. In fact, it even becomes an opportunity to catch up with relatives and friends from the community. So, if you're in Malacca next weekend, come and say hello.
tabla!
Fri, May 13, 2011
By Surendar Kaur
DON'T be surprised if you don't see too many Sikhs in Singapore next weekend. Most of us will be in Malacca from May 20 to 22 for prayers at the Gurdwara Sahib Malacca.
The weekend of prayers draws thousands of Sikhs and others from Malaysia and Singapore to the Jalan Temenggong gurdwara. They go to pay their respects to the late Baba Sohan Singh who spread the Sikh religion with his inspiring discussions and speeches.
Ever since he died on May 24, 1972, after a short illness, the Gurdwara Sahib Malacca commemorates the date by holding an Akhand Path (continuous recitation of the Sikh sacred religious texts for approximately 21/2 days) and prayers annually. Popularly known as Baba Sohan Singh's Barsi, it is a time to pray for whatever help they seek and also express gratitude for the help received.
I, for one, have been making this annual pilgrimage to Malacca for the past 17 years. The first time, in 1994, I prayed to be blessed with a child. My daughter was born a year later - call it divine or medical intervention, but my husband and I were thrilled - and since then we make sure we are at Gurdwara Sahib Malacca every year.
Apart from the prayers, I also enjoy the social aspect of this pilgrimage. With so many Sikhs descending on Malacca for the weekend - thousands drive up from Singapore or charter buses for the trip while even more arrive from other Malaysian cities and towns - hotels are packed and room reservations have to be made very early.
In the temple, we attend the prayer sessions and do sewa (performing a service) which can include helping to prepare food and serving it to the devotees.
And this is where the weekend takes on a multiracial flavour: Not only does the temple serve free food to anyone who walks in and takes a seat in the dining area, many Chinese volunteers provide items like you tiao (fried crullers) and soya bean drinks while south Indians cook thosais or pratas for breakfast.
In addition, there is a blood donation drive, with medical teams in attendance, while a pasar malam (night market) always springs up outside the temple with stalls selling Punjabi outfits, CDs, Indian sweets and many other items.
While some people shop, others do some sightseeing. A common sight during the weekend is elderly women riding in a cycle rickshaw which has Hindi music blaring from its huge speakers. And once night falls, a bhangra night is also organised for the youngsters to have some fun.
For my family and me, this is a great outing where we combine our religious duties with some shopping and fun. In fact, it even becomes an opportunity to catch up with relatives and friends from the community. So, if you're in Malacca next weekend, come and say hello.
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