Acheen Street Mosque (Masjid Melayu (Jamek) Lebuh Acheh) in Penang was founded in 1808 by Tengku Syed Hussain Al-Aidid, an Arab trader from Aceh, Sumatra. What makes it unique is that the mosque not only served as a place of worship but also as a center for trade and diplomacy among the Arab, Indian, and Malay Muslim communities in early Penang. The surrounding area, known as “Malay Town”, became a vibrant hub for merchants and pilgrims heading to Mecca.
An interesting connection between Acheen Street Mosque’s minaret and a lighthouse is that some believe the octagonal minaret was designed to resemble a beacon for travelers—just like a lighthouse guiding ships. Since the mosque was historically linked to Hajj pilgrims and traders, its tower-like minaret might have symbolized guidance and direction, much like how a lighthouse helps sailors navigate.