The golden domes
Mughal-Indian domes and arches from the early 1900s.
Mohammed Al-Naser — CC BY 2.0 · Syafiqcool88 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Arne Müseler — CC BY-SA 3.0 de · Deepak-nsk — CC0
Founded by Muslim traders from South India in the early nineteenth century, a few years after George Town itself, on land the British granted to their community leader, who carried the title Kapitan Keling. The building you see today was rebuilt in the early twentieth century with golden domes and Mughal-Indian arches, and it has become one of Malaysia's most beautiful historic mosques. It stands on the street George Town calls the Street of Harmony: along its short length are a church, a Chinese temple, a Hindu temple and this mosque, a scene that sums up a city where different communities have lived side by side for two centuries. For Muslims the mosque is open for prayer at prayer times, and praying in this historic mosque at the heart of the old town is a lovely experience. Non-Muslims visit at set times, Monday to Thursday in the morning and afternoon and on Fridays only after two, in modest dress, with clothing lent free at the entrance. Entry is free and donations are welcome. The mosque is at the heart of George Town's UNESCO World Heritage area, steps from Khoo Kongsi and Little India, a natural stop on a walk through the old town.
Mughal-Indian domes and arches from the early 1900s.
A church, two temples and a mosque on one short street.
Among the island's oldest mosques, founded by South Indian Muslim traders.
Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, George Town, Penang
Khoo KongsiYou enter from a narrow lane and suddenly face a wide stone square with the most3 minutes walk4.3
Acheen Street Mosque (Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh)One of Penang's oldest and most storied mosques, built in 1808 on land given by 4 minutes walk
Little India, George TownA lively quarter in the heart of George Town, fragrant with spices and incense a4 minutes walk
Pinang Peranakan MansionA green mansion on Church Street built in the late nineteenth century by Chung K6 minutes walk4.6
Clan Jetties (Chew Jetty)Villages of wooden houses on stilts over the sea, linked by narrow boardwalks, b6 minutes walk4.2Yes, it is the best place to pray in the old town. Praying Dhuhr there and then carrying on to Little India and Khoo Kongsi next door makes an easy plan.