Kampong Baru - Kuala Lumpur

It's Ramadan, and what better place to introduce than Kampong Baru. The Malay enclave in the city. Kampong Baru (literally translates as New Village) is more than 100 years old. These photos were taken before Ramadan, but I hope to be visiting this place soon to share how it looks during the fasting month.

The famous arch that greets visitors to this place. This was the entrance to the 'Pasar Minggu' (the weekly Sunday market) that used to be held here. The arch has been rebuilt a number of times.

Food is plentiful here - mostly Malay, Thai and Indonesian.

I couldn't resist this road sign.

There still stand many traditional Malay houses in this part of Kuala Lumpur.

The famous Nasi Lemak Antarabangsa stall. Somehow the nasi lemak sold here these days, doesn't taste the same as I remember it.

Another old house that has been well maintained.

The Member of Parliament for Titiwangsa has her service centre in this old wooden building. I was attracted to it's door, which I think is cool.

The kampong baru flats, one of the earlier high rise residential buildings in the area, at the site of the Pasar Minggu.

Motifs on the road. I do not know the significance of these motifs, but they do remind me of the Indian 'kolam'. Maybe this is what is known as a blend of cultures.

Another one of those motifs.

It's in the afternoon, and this row of food stalls seem to be deserted, but wait till the early evening onwards, and there'll be a big crowd here.

Sea food sold here, they even advertise that they serve 'live' fish.

Stalls like these, catering to children, are still found here. Only they don't serve Ais Bola (shaved ice formed into a ball, with syrupy goodness poured over it), how I miss those days. One of these days, when I find me a co-operative vendor, I'll get him to make an ais bola for me, just to show my readers.

Penang - Pearl of the Orient (3) : Masjid, Surau and other Muslim Institutions

With a large Indian Muslim population in Penang, it is no wonder that there are many masjid in Georgetown. I was staying at Hotel Malaysia at the end of Penang Road, and the following shots were taken within walking distance of the hotel.

The famous Masjid Kapitan Keling built by Indian Muslim merchants during the 19th century.

Kapitans were appointed chiefs or headmen of the various ethnic communities during the colonial period beginning with the Portuguese. While there are many well known Kapitan Cina, I have only managed to come across one name of a Kapitan Keling, Cauder Mohideen, and even then there isn't much information about him that is readily available.

Another view of the masjid.

One of the minarets of the masjid.

Yet another view of the masjid.

Masjid close to the hotel where I performed my Friday congregational prayers (Jumma').
A Muslim association in Penang.

A Muslim Sports Club's surau and religious school (madrasah).

The Penang Muslim League, maybe dating from the period of the Muslim League of Indian Independence.

Another Muslim society in Penang.
The Penang Islamic Museum, possibly a state institution.

The Acheh Street Masjid.

This masjid built by the Achenese in the 19th century.

This and the following 3 masjid are in the Komtar area.




This is not a masjid but a mausoleum, as can be seen from the board below.

As far as I am aware, there are no 'Saints' in Islam. The Tamil word that is translated as saint is 'Hadarath', a word of Arabic origin that would literally mean 'the presence'.

Penang - Pearl of the Orient (2) : Temples, Kongsi (clan houses) and others

The Chinese character of Penang is evident in its many temples and kongsi (or clan houses) found around Georgetown. The following are some photos shot during my visit there.



















A stone lion guarding the entrance of one of the buildings near the Komtar area.

Just remember that not all temples and kongsi are elaborate. I almost missed this one. Its only the presence of the flags that gave any indication that it was a clan house.

The main Hindu temple in the Little India area.

The rear entrance to the temple.

Contrast the elaborate carvings decorating the earlier temple to this Hindu temple along Penang Road.