Traditional Mosque in Malaysia

Nicklaus Emmanuel GeorgeMohd Shamsul Nizam bin MarzukiMuhammad Fauzee bin Ahmed ZulkifliSiti Nadia binti Mohamad DaudNorafiqah binti Jalal El DinNabilla Laili binti RamliTraditional Mosque in Malaysia

Since the end of the 20th century, many scholars have been intrigued by the significance, aesthetic values and philosophical meanings of the most notable symbol of Islamic architecture, mosques.

Although Islam was introduced to Southeast Asia between the 13th, 14th and the 15th centuries and since then numerous mosques were erected throughout the region, but yet the Islamic architecture of this region remains little-known and poorly documented probably because these mosques have followed local building traditions and climatic conditions and do not resemble Islamic architecture of Middle East.

Among all the materials and records about mosques architecture and typology, there are few scholars who have mentioned Southeast Asian mosques architecture.

Some have acknowledged Southeast Asian mosque as one of the seven regional mosque typology, which represents one of the fascinating architectural styles in mosque design.INTRODUCTION TRADITIONAL MOSQUE IN MALAYSIAMasjid Ubudiah, Kuala Kangsar

Built in 1913 and completed later in 1917, opened by Sultan Jalil Karamatullah Shah.Masjid Ubudiah is a Royal Mosque, built by the Late Sultan Idris Murshiduladzam Shah. This great beauty mosque was built as a thanksgiving after he recovered from his illness.Designed by Arthur Benison Hubback.Influenced by Mughal-Gothic architecture and Moorish Architecture.The construction cost for mosque was about rm200 000 at that time.Can accommodate 1000 people at one time.Become one of the Malaysias tourist attraction.

INTRODUCTION

Late Sultan Idris Murshiduladzam Shah was undergoing treatment at Port Dickson, he vowed to build a mosque at Bukit Chandan, Kuala Kangsar if he recovered from his illness.CHRONOLOGY1911 -He health finally improved, he instructed Colonel Huxley to come out with a design of a mosque with great beauty. The government architect, Arthur Benison Hubback designed the mosque that inspired by the Moghul-Gothic Architecture.1912 -On 26th September 1913, Late Sultan Idris Murshiduladzam laid the foundation as a sign that construction begun.1913 -The construction delayed. Elephant fight caused a destroy of the marble and stone imported from Italty. The outbreak of the World War 1 in Europe caused further delayed time on shipping from Italy.1914 -The Sultan Idris Murshiduladzam Shah passed 14th January 1916.1916 -The construction completed. The mosque was officially declared open by 29th Perak Sultan, Almarhum Sultan Abdul Jalil.1917 -

ARCHITECTURAL FEATURESEntrancea) Entrance ArchFaces the direction of the Qiblat.Carved with Islamic geometric pattern influenced by Moorish architecture.Tall columns aligned with main gate arch to create extravagant feeling.The marbles we seen to be aligned to create pattern on the top of the arch.The marbles were imported from Italy.The high quality red blood marble is banded at the main area where the attraction of the visitor.

ARCHITECTURAL FEATURESEntranceb) Vaulted Gateway (Chatris)Characterised by its massive size and vaulted gatewayCools the air and provides a focal for entranceDelicate ornamentation prevails the faade as well as within the gatewayCharacteristic of Mughal architecture style

ARCHITECTURAL FEATURESIslamic Pattern FountainThe Islamic pattern fountain shape was influenced by the Moorish architecture.To add the serene ambience of the Ubudiah Mosque.Cooling effect for the mosque.The focal point in the site of the mosque.

ARCHITECTURAL FEATURESFloor PlanUbudiah Mosque floor plan was an originally octagon shape before amended.The floor plan was unique and unusual for the typical mosque in Malaysia.The existing serambi that link to the extended serambi.

Existing serambiExtended serambiCentral prayer hallWomen prayer area ARCHITECTURAL FEATURESDome & ChatrisThe onion shape dome and chatris was influenced by Mughal-Gothic architecture.The design actually originated from Hindu architecture and absorbed into the Mughal-Gothic architecture.The walls of the Ubudiah Mosque form the large monster domed building in the centre and surrounded by the four terraces that consist a dome in the middle.The main dome was surrounded by eight minaret and sixteen chatris.

Rear ElevationFront Elevation ARCHITECTURAL FEATURESMinaretsThe Minarets has a bulbous top and has mild ornamentation of Mughal ArchitectureCupolas are present in the main minarets, influenced by Mughal ArchitectureThe Geometrical arch at the cupolas and the stripe pattern along the minarets(From Marble and plaster) are characteristic of Moorish Architecture

ARCHITECTURAL FEATURESInterior HallLarge spacious interior hallsDelicate ornamentation within the interior as well as the exteriorCharacteristic of Mughal Architecture Geometrical bulbous arches characteristic of Moorish Architecture align both the top and bottom parts of the wall, promoting coolness and ventilating the interior

ARCHITECTURAL FEATURESKeyhole ArchThe arch generally keyhole-shaped.Influenced by the typical Moorish architecture that followed the characteristic of the dome itself which is bulbous and semicircular shape.For interior part, the size and shape of the arches are varied.The arch located at verandah are wider and larger in diameter to allow circulation.

Masjid Jamek, Kuala Lumpur

Built in 1907,Jamek Mosque is the oldest in Kuala Lumpur.Located at the confluence of theKlang andGombak river.Designed by Arthur Benison Hubback.Main architecture adopted in his design similar to that of Northern India.This term is used to describe the imitation Neo-Moorish type of design. Sultan Sir Alaeddin Sulaiman Shah opened the mosque in 1909.The mosque was built on the firstMalay burial ground in the city.Masjid Jamek served as Kuala Lumpur's main mosque (before 1965).

INTRODUCTION

ARCHITECTURAL FEATURESHorseshoe arch

Horseshoe arch, also called theMoorish archKnown from pre-IslamicSyriawhere the form was used in the fourth century CE in the Baptistery of Mar Ya'qub.A symbol of sainthood and holinessAllowing more height than the classical (semi-circular) arch.Better aesthetic and decorative use.

ARCHITECTURAL FEATURESMaterial : Red Brick

Climate of the region (Spain) influenced the building materials used.Aesthetic appeal - Brick possesses natural and infinite pleasant colors of burnt clays.Keep the mosque cool during day-time and warm during night-time.Bricks are easy to maintain.

ARCHITECTURAL FEATURESMaterial : Marble

Elegant appearance.Marble is kind of durable and hard stone.Long lasting material.Marble is use to keep the floor cool to ensure user comfort.

Onion shaped domes was influenced by the Neo-Moonrish architectural design by their own signature.

Neo-Moonrish style can be easily discerned by their signature of onion shaped domes, spires and domed shaped canopies.

There are 3 onion shaped domes. The central dome is 21.3 meters high and is flanked by two lower domes.

The prayer hall is located beneath the central dome. The prayer hall opens out onto a walled 'sahn' ( courtyard ) , which has now been covered over.

The biggest dome at the centre was collapsed in the 1990s and later rebuilt.

ARCHITECTURAL FEATURESDOME

ARCHITECTURAL FEATURESMINARETThe design was inspired by Mughal mosques in North India.

Mughal architectural style have a uniform pattern of structure and character.

One of Mughal style is slender minarets at the corners

At the corners there are two red and white striped minarets 26.8 meters high , identical in design with 'chatris' (umbrella-shaped cupolas) on the top.

The mosque is flanked by 2 main minarets top the brick walls and arched colonnades among other smaller ones

ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES SPIRESThe narrow spires- are typical Moorish architectural motifs.

Masjid Kampung Kling Melaka

Kampung Kling Mosqueis located at Jalan Tukang Emas (also known as Harmony Street).Locate in close proximity with the Cheng Hoon Teng Templeand the Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple.Built by Indian Muslim traders in years 1748 .Kampung Kling Mosqueis one of the oldest mosques in Malaysia which still retains its original design.Influences from the Chinese, Hindu-Buddhist.HISTORY

HINDU-BUDDHIST INFLUENCESSQUARE FLOOR PLAN

Grand MandalaKling Mosque, Malacca

Old MosqueKampung Laut, Kelantan (1730s)

Meru Tower, Southeast Asia

TIERED PYRAMIDAL ROOFUsed for:

Multiple volume expression to the building interiorAir ventilation for passive coolingCreates large interior space for warm air to ventilate upward to the upper level

Kampung Laut Mosque, Kelantan

CHINESE INFLUENCE

Melaka was founded in the late 14th century. Emperor Yongle of Ming Dynasty. He decided to expand maritime trades, so he set the envoys to Southeast Asian islands.

CHINESE MIGRATION

Emperor Yongle (ruled 1403-1424)

Admiral Chen Ho, the Muslim Chinese, visited Melaka several times between 1403-1433 in order to establish strong economic and political connection with Melaka Kingdom.

Admiral Cheng Ho

Increasing trade activities between China and Melaka attracted numerous Chinesemerchants from southern China. They had to stay in Melaka for at least five monthswaiting for seasonal monsoon winds to change and take them back to their homeland. So they set up second home in Melaka.

These Chinese migrants remained faithful to their homeland religions and beliefs andconstructed buildings inspired by their own traditional style from Southern Chinesearchitecture.Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, Melaka

THREE SECTION GABLE ROOF123CHINESE CHARACTERISTIC

CURVED ROOF RIDGE, AND CANTILEVER EAVE CORNERS

FLORAL MOTIF CROWN

MINARETMalaysia traditional mosques are akin to Southeast Asia traditional mosque style followed local building traditions and climatic conditions instead of replicating traditional mosques' elements from Middle East.

The early traditional mosques, were similar to traditional Malay houses and palaces in style and material. However, with foreign cultural and technical influences, traditional mosques faced major alterations in their appearance.

Traditional mosques bear numerous traces of Hindu-Buddhist, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, and British inspirations while distinctive Islamic architectural elements from Middle East such as dome and minaret do not feature in these traditional mosques.

Traditional mosque style holds unique identity, which differs from traditional mosque style in other Malay states due to its unique historical background.

This historical mosque not only demonstrates the most staggering examples of Southeast Asian traditional mosques but also established the style of architectural movement.

CONCLUSION