The Black Stone story
A roof recalling the cloth that lifted the Stone.
Undeka 11 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Catatansicikal — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Naelaa — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Uni Riska — CC BY-SA 4.0
The largest mosque in West Sumatra and the second largest on the whole island, holding about twenty thousand worshippers, and now named after Sheikh Ahmad Khatib al-Minangkabawi, the scholar born in this land who became an imam and preacher at the Grand Mosque in Mecca in the early twentieth century. Its foundation stone was laid in 2007 and the first prayers were held in 2014. Its most striking feature is the roof: there is no dome, but a contemporary roof inspired by the upswept, buffalo-horn gables of traditional Minangkabau houses. Its form also recalls the cloth held at its corners by the four Quraysh clan leaders to lift the Black Stone into place at the Kaaba, in the well-known story from the Prophet's life. It was designed by local architect Rizal Muslimin after a competition with more than three hundred entrants from around the world. Entry is free; the main prayer hall is on the second floor, the mosque serves daily and Friday prayers, and non-Muslims visit outside prayer times in modest dress. Inside are carpets given by the Turkish government. It is the leading sight for Muslim visitors to Padang, and best photographed from the broad forecourt, especially at sunset when the roof's corners are lit.
A roof recalling the cloth that lifted the Stone.
Named after Sheikh Ahmad Khatib al-Minangkabawi.
A roof in Minangkabau house style.
Corner of Jalan Khatib Sulaiman and Jalan Ahmad Dahlan, north Padang
A Shafi'i scholar born in West Sumatra in the nineteenth century who moved to Mecca and became an imam and preacher at the Grand Mosque, teaching many scholars of the Malay world.