How long ago was this mosque built? The Grand Mosque of Colombo has a history stretching back over 1200 years. It stands as a testament to Colombo’s rich Islamic heritage.
Let’s explore the story of the Grand Mosque of Colombo. European records first mention it in November 1505. A Portuguese expedition anchored in Colombo bay and noted the mosque.
In 1520, things took a violent turn. After an attack on the Portuguese trading post, King Bhuvanaikabahu of Kotte retaliated. He burnt Colombo including two large mosques. But resilience prevailed. The mosque was rebuilt on the same site soon after its destruction.
The 1820s marked a new chapter for the Grand Mosque of Colombo. Muhammad Balangkaya, a Malay architect, redesigned and rebuilt it. He hailed from the Royal House of Gowa in Sulawesi, Indonesia. The Dutch had exiled him to Ceylon in 1790. Balangkaya’s vision resulted in a two-story structure. It was one of the first of its kind in the region.
The British Governor of Ceylon, Edward Barnes, visited in 1826. He commended the architect for his excellent work. A year later, Sir Alexander Johnston made a remarkable discovery. He found an Arabic tombstone dating back to 948 AD. The Dutch had moved it from the old Muslim cemetery next to the mosque. This suggests the mosque might be over 1,100 years old. This makes it possibly the oldest mosque in Sri Lanka.
The Grand Mosque of Colombo continued to evolve. In 1897, an additional wing was added. I. L. M. H. Muhammad Mohideen oversaw the construction. This wing became classrooms for the newly established school. It was called Al-Madrasathul Hameedia. Sultan Abdul Hamid II of the Ottoman Empire supported the construction. In 1921, the school’s name changed to Hameedia Boys’ English School. The mosque was reconstructed again during the 1900s. This aimed to meet the modern needs of the Muslim community.
The Grand Mosque of Colombo also houses a sacred shrine. It honors the Malay saint, Bahu-Uddeen Tuan Bagoos Balankaya. The Grand Mosque of Colombo stands as a symbol of faith. It also represents architectural innovation and community spirit. Its long history reflects the enduring presence of Islam in Sri Lanka. Take a moment to appreciate its beauty and historical depth.