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.

Penang - Pearl of the Orient (1)

There has been recent reports of traditional businesses moving away from the heritage site of Georgetown due the effects of the repeal of the Rent Control Act.

So I thought that this would be a good time for me to share photos that I took during my trip to Penang in April 2009. This was the time I was trying to justify to myself the need for me to invest in a DSLR camera.

While it is not KL, walking about in Penang reminds me of KL of the 1960s.

While the fuss is about the Yin Oi Tong Traditional Chinese Medicine Hall on China Street, this place should be around for some time to come.

A rattan shop.
An 'old world' furniture shop.

I'm not too sure what business this is, but there were a lot of metal around.

This looked like a place where you could get used machinery, but its name suggests that they may have been in the audio equipment business.

A customer waiting for his duplicate key to be ready at one of the many key-smiths around.

We saw this during our walk along Jalan Ipoh.

This is the place to get anything made of metal pipes and rods.

Making chick blinds. Those days, these things used hang in front of shops and were lowered during the day to keep out the rays of the sun.

Canvas bags anyone?

One of those things that I've seen only in Penang. KL bread vendors use completely covered bins on the bicycles or motorcycles.

I just liked the name of the restaurant. The world could sure use a lot of Peace & Joy.

Flowers sellers and garlands made to order.

Queuing has become the name of this restaurant next to the Masjid Kapitan Keling.

Trishaws (or rickshaws) are synonymous with Penang. If you're driving in Penang, be careful, they are the 'kings' of the road.

The sign says that this is the 'Original Jeans House'.

I am always facinated by the way the poh-piah (spring roll) skin is made. Near the Chowrasta Market along Penang Road.

A drink stall near the market.

The famous Penang Road chendol. There are actually 2 stalls operating here, both claiming to be the original.

Transporting his wares. This was near Komtar.


007 Fashion House, no worries about copyright infringement when the signboard was first put up, but subsequently the gun had to be covered up...

... 'Too high' the probable excuse why this has not been covered.

Saloons don't look like this anymore.

The famous Dawood Restaurant, now closed...

... although A Dawood operates next door.

I couldn't resist this...


... nor this.