Built in 1728 during the Dutch colonisation following the relaxation of the freedom of worship, Kampung Hulu Mosque (Masjid Kampung Hulu) is the oldest functioning mosque in Malaysia. The mosque is located in Jalan Tukang Emas (also known as Harmony Street). Jalan Tukang Emas, Jalan Tukang Besi, Jalan Tokong made up the entire Harmony Street. These streets are called Harmony Street because it portrays a sense of harmony between the major races in Malaysia and temples of different religions are able to locate in close proximity with each other. The temples here are Kampung Hulu Mosque, the Kampung Kling Mosque, the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple and the Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple. Tranquerah Mosque was also built in the same year, but it was later rebuilt in 1780.
The construction of Kampung Hulu Mosque was a result of a new policy of religious pluralism. During the Portuguese colonial, all signs of non-Christian establishments had been destroyed, including Malacca’s first mosque. The mosque is believed to be located across from where the Stadhuys stands today. The Catholic faith that had come with the Portuguese was forbidden in favor of the Protestant Dutch Reformed Church.
Due to the policy of religious pluralism, the Dutch assigned Kapitans to head the local Malay community in the reconstruction of their places of worship. Kapitan was initially title given by the Portuguese to the leader of the community to help them administer the local community. Dato Samsuddin bin Arom, or Dato Shamsudin, was the man commissioned to build the Kampung Hulu Mosque. It is believed that the Kapitan was originally from China named Sun Shih-Lin. He met a shipwreck on his way to Melaka and vowed that he would embrace Islam if his life was eventually saved.
Architecturally, it is also one of the most visually arresting and unique mosques without any discernible parallel or resemblance anywhere else in the country. The roof is multi-tiered and shaped like a pyramid, while a towering standalone minaret calls out, at predesignated hours, to the faithful for prayers. Visitors are welcome but advised to follow rules and common practices within the premises: be decently dressed—no shorts or miniskirts and tank tops.
Partly due to the Dutch encouragement of cultural cross-pollination, the building of Kampung Hulu Mosque is fairly unusual for a mosque, inspired more of Sumatran architecture rather than by the Arab prototype. The roof consists of three ascending layers of flared pyramidal roofs, separated by gaps to allow direct air and light into the building. These tiers are held aloft by four great columns in the center extending to outer columns for the lower, wider roofs. Inside of the roof is a dome made of carved sea stones.
Kampung Hulu Mosque was constructed using stones and bricks and does not employ the Javanese technique of using timber as the material for the walls. The centralized vertical hierarchy lends the structure to a square plan. The mosque is also unique in the sense that its elevation from the ground on a low stone perimeter wall. Within the mosque, there is a shrine dedicated to Sayyid Abdullah Al-Haddad, an influential religious teacher who is regarded by many as a Wali (or Saint in English).
Like other Malaccan mosques, Chinese ornamentation is also revealed in Kampung Hulu Mosque. This includes the crown like pinnacle surmounting the roofs and the curved eaves. It also incorporates ceramic roof and floor tiles imported from China. The pagoda-like stone minaret seen in Kampung Hulu Mosque is also a distinctive feature in most Malaccan mosque.
Kampung Hulu Mosque was later renovated by Wazir Al Sheikh Omar bin Hussain Al-Attas. Bricks were added to the Kampung Hulu Mosque to reinforce the structure in the year 1892.
Unfortunately non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the mosque. You can choose to roam around the mosque and admire the magnificent architecture from outside, which is pretty much the essence of the whole mosque. And if you happen to be a Muslim, then you are surely acquainted with the basic etiquettes of visiting a mosque (such as taking off your shoes before entering, threading your steps cautiously, not crossing those who are praying, not making noises, and other rules that are universally respected by Muslims in mosques).
The mosque should not be confused with Kampung Kling Mosque, located just a stone throw away.
Location
Address: Jalan Tukang Emas, 75200 Melaka
GPS Coordinate: N 2.199247, E 102.247792
