Wednesday, August 22, 2007

the Indian Muslim Mosque next to Ipoh Padang

this is the Indian Muslim Mosque..built in 1908..its located next to the Ipoh Padang..i studied at St.Michaels Institution and walked by this mosque for years but i had never stepped through its gates until this day..while photographing these ...

...pigeons after my morning walk at the Ipoh padang...the security guard at the SMI gate threw some bird seed at these pigeons so i could take this shot...

..i remember these pigeons have been here like forever..these must be the umpteenth generation...

they are all over the place...

while photographing the pigeons i noticed the fence..hmm cast iron..like a shamrock design..nice wall design in the background...this was at the side..interesting..lets check out this place..

the fence in the front had a different design...who built this mosque..

the heritage signboard in the front of the mosque...(note the reflection of HSBC and PCCCI from across the padang along Hale Street...)....

the mosque was built by an Indian Muslim businessman named Sheik Adam..and the design is of "Moghul Style architecture"...no wonder it looked different!..this is getting interesting ....

i stepped through the gates for the first time...the view from the entrance..6 arches at the side..

..5 arches in the front of the mosque..on the roof 2 slender minarets flank a semi circular pediment( there are 3 of these) ..i like the square gateway...why..it looks ..southern indian different!!

another view of the front...the reception area is spacious...think they call this the 'serambi'..note the Ipoh padang and High court in the background...

close view at the side..multi-foil arches..topped with running leaf motif crenellations..each arch is separated by an ornamental top or finial...

the design of the mosque and gateway...interesting....

..must check out the inside of the mosque...and take a closer look .. it was built 99 years ago after all and it looks in really great shape..must be interesting..next issue..

cheers.

1 comment:

MAHAGURU58 said...

Thanks for sharing these pictures with us.

You can visit the mosque but should be properly attired.

Ask for permission from the caretakers and you will be allowed to take photographs from within.

I think most mosques won't allow Non Muslims from entering into the main prayer hall but with proper guidance, you might be able able to do just that.

You'll have to wash your feet before getting permission to enter the prayer areas and you would need to have the mosque's caretaker be with you if you were to shoot photos before or after the main prayers.

All the best.