Before you stands Masjid Jamek, Kuala Lumpur’s oldest principal mosque until 1965. It whispers tales of a city’s evolving identity. This sacred space has witnessed Kuala Lumpur transform from a colonial outpost to a vibrant metropolis.
Masjid Jamek sits at the meeting point of the Klang and Gombak rivers. This location was once an old Malay burial ground. It is now a place where people meet to worship. The mosque’s name reflects this. Jamek is the Malay equivalent of the Arabic word “jāmi”. It means a place of gathering. Locals fondly call it the “Friday Mosque”.
Picture Arthur Benison Hubback, the British architect. He designed Masjid Jamek in the Indo-Saracenic style. This style echoes Indian Muslim Mughal architecture. Hubback also designed other iconic buildings like the Kuala Lumpur railway station.
Imagine the foundation stone being laid in 1908 by the Sultan of Selangor. A year later, in 1909, the Sultan officially opened the mosque. The Malay community and the British colonial government funded the construction, costing $32,625.
Look at the pink and white banding of the minarets. Some describe it as “blood and bandage”. These minarets rise high above the city. They are made of brick and plaster. The mosque features three domes. The largest reaches 21.3 meters high. The prayer hall resides beneath these domes.
Consider the extensions and renovations Masjid Jamek has undergone. A roof now covers the originally open-air forecourt. In 1984, the minaret nearest the river was reinforced. It was already sloping. A dome collapsed in 1993 due to heavy rain. It has since been repaired.
On June 23, 2017, the mosque received a new name. Selangor’s Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah renamed it Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek Mosque. He honored his ancestor, the fourth Sultan of Selangor. The mosque stands on land that was once part of Selangor.
Note the architectural style. It blends Moorish, Indo-Saracenic, and Mughal elements. The design reflects a fusion of cultures. You see similar styles in other Hubback creations.
Getting here is easy. The Masjid Jamek LRT station sits just outside. This station is a busy interchange. It connects the Kelana Jaya Line, Sri Petaling Line, and Ampang Line. The station is conveniently located between Chinatown and Little India. Dataran Merdeka is also close by.
Masjid Jamek is more than just a building. It is a symbol of Kuala Lumpur’s history. It embodies the city’s diverse cultural influences. As you stand here, remember the stories it holds.