Pekanbaru's oldest mosque
Where the city began.
DinaMardiati — CC BY 4.0 · DinaMardiati — CC BY 4.0 · DinaMardiati — CC BY 4.0
Pekanbaru's oldest mosque, in the old Senapelan district on the bank of the Siak River where the city was born. Its origins go back to the eighteenth century and the sultans of Siak, who founded the river market that grew into Pekanbaru, and it is among the most important monuments of Malay Islamic heritage in Riau. The mosque has been renewed and enlarged several times and now stands in broad modern form with domes and minarets, but its precinct keeps the trace of history: its courtyard holds the tombs of two early Siak sultans, visited by pilgrims, and an old well whose water people once sought for blessing. It serves daily and Friday prayers; entry is free, and visitors are welcome outside prayer times in modest dress. The old district around the mosque has Malay timber houses and the old river landing, so wander it, then visit Siak Palace and the Syahabuddin Mosque on a day trip to Siak Sri Indrapura.
Where the city began.
Of early Siak sultans.
Malay timber houses.
Senapelan, near the Siak River, Pekanbaru
The Siak sultans founded the river market from which Pekanbaru grew and built the mosque at its heart; two of them are buried in its courtyard.