Category: Malay/Muslim Influenced Buildings

George Town Street View: Kapitan Keling Mosque in the Evening

An evening view of the old Masjid Kapitan Keling (Kapitan Keling Mosque). Located at the Heritage zone of George Town, the Kapitan Keling Mosque is one of the oldest and famous landmarks in the island.

The mosque was built by the the head of the Indian Muslim community in Penang during the year 1800, and is located at along Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling (formerly Pitt Street but was later renamed after the mosque). The historic mosque was also used previously as the state mosque of Penang. The name “kapitan keling” is used to denote the headman or leader of the South Indian Muslim community.

George Town Street View: Kapitan Keling Mosque

Today in Penang, it is the Hari Raya Aidiladha (or Hari Raya Haji) holiday which is a religious festival celebrated by the Muslim community worldwide. Also known as Hari Raya Korban, it is a tradition here which usually involves the sacrifice of cows and sharing the meat with family, for relatives and friends, and for poor people.

Cannon Street View: Acheen Street Mosque Tower

The tower of Acheen Street Mosque comes into view as one walks along Cannon Street. The popular ‘A Boy Reaching Up’ mural of Ernest Zacharevic can also be spotted at the wall of the house on the right of the street.

George Town World Heritage City

Various images showing the many heritage buildings and major places of worship in the city of George Town. As part of its recognition to be accorded with the World Heritage status, July 7th is designated as George Town World Heritage Day and it is also a state holiday here in Penang.

Chulia Street: Nagore Dargha Sheriff

Nagore Durgha Sheriff (or Nagore Dargha Sheriff) is a small mosque located at the intersection of King Street and Chulia Street. It was built in honor of a Muslim saint in the 1800s and is the oldest Indian Muslim shrine in Penang.

George Town Street View: Acheen Mosque Minaret during CNY

A view of Cannon Street decorated with red lanterns during Chinese New Year, with the minaret of Acheen Street Mosque standing at the background in George Town.