Haroon Mosque

About this place

One of Bangkok's oldest mosques, founded in 1837 by the merchant Musa Bafadel, of Hadrami Arab descent from Pontianak on Borneo, and named after his son Haroon. It was first built of wood on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, then moved about five hundred metres inland in 1899 when the government built a customs house at the pier, and the community was granted a larger plot. The present two-storey building dates from 1934, blending European townhouse style with classical floral motifs, pillars and wooden shutters, a calm scene within a small, long-established Muslim quarter among modern hotel towers. Around it are the homes and cemetery of the Muslim community, and the mosque is known for an annual halal food festival. Entry is free; the mosque is open for prayer at prayer times, and non-Muslims visit outside prayer times in modest dress. The surrounding lanes have simple halal restaurants run by the quarter's Muslims. It is near Oriental pier on the river and Saphan Taksin Skytrain station, so it fits easily with a river trip or a visit to Asiatique. It is one of the best places in Bangkok to pray and eat halal food in a historic quarter.