Kampung Hulu Mosque , Malacca .

BY DANIAL FAUZI

Located in Kampung Hulu , a fishing village near the Melaka River , this mosque embodies a distinctive design concept that intertwines God and nature . The architectural inspiration draws from the lotus flower , a symbol deeply rooted in Malay culture , originating from Hindu and Buddhist influences , as the area was once ruled by a Kingdom that had embraced both religions .

With the forthcoming Visit Melaka 2024 campaign , Masjid Kampung Hulu emerges as a captivating gem in Melaka ’ s Islamic tourism offerings .

“ Mosque architecture is one of the main aspects that attracts tourists ,” said Imam of Masjid Kampung Hulu , Ustaz Mohamad Syafiq Ramli .

“ Whether modern or traditional architectural designs , local and foreign tourists admire this aspect of mosques . Not only would they admire the designs of the mosques , but they would also observe the daily congregation of prayer and other worship activities that would also take place there .”

Aside from the unique design of the mosque , Masjid Kampung Hulu also attracts a stream of visitors who believe in the mystical powers of the water in its ablution pool . History has it that Islamic preachers and saints frequented the mosque in the old days . In fact , some of them , such as Sayyid Abdullah Al-Haddad , were even entombed there . By virtue of

Congregation taking place in the mosque .

Ustaz Mohamad Syafiq Ramli

their presence and Allah ’ s almighty grace , it was believed to have made the ablution waters special . It was not uncommon to see people from far away visiting to perform their prayers and collecting the water in bottles to bring home . They were convinced that the water , with Allah ’ s blessings , could provide spiritual healing and relief to many physical ailments , and that their prayers would be answered .

STRENGTHENING MOSQUE TOURISM

With the prospect of capitalising on the

mosque architecture for tourism , Syafiq believes that many mosques in Malaysia have the potential to be tourist destinations . However , he also mentioned that it would depend on the mosque management ’ s effort to make their mosques a tourist attraction .

When asked about how mosques could play their roles in enhancing the Islamic tourism experience , he responded : “ Typically , mosques primarily employ social media as their initial means of engagement . Just like others , we utilise existing channels to provide information to tourists , whether it ’ s about our activities or anything else .”

“ When mosques have the potential to become tourist-friendly , we often suggest providing things to accommodate non- Muslim visitors , such as attire to cover their bodies or offering tourist guides .

“ For instance , at Masjid Kampung Hulu , we have tourist guides available on Saturdays and Sundays . These guides can communicate in English , which is useful for tourists who need help understanding Malay . They explain our programmes and activities , giving visitors insights into our daily and weekly routines .”

Masjid Kampung Hulu offers various

activities such as qurban , iftar , tarawih , qiammulail , religious classes , tadarus , lectures , and community engagement events . Syafiq emphasised that the mosque organised a weekly meal for those in need , welcoming not only Muslims but also individuals from diverse backgrounds , including Chinese and Indian visitors . He underscored that this initiative aimed to showcase the beauty of Islam while highlighting the significance of charitable acts .

AN OPEN MOSQUE CONCEPT

Being a mosque that is already a tourist attraction , the management is committed to maintaining the “ open mosque ” concept for Masjid Kampung Hulu .

“ We are always open to welcoming people from all walks of life to visit , observe , and appreciate the practices and architectural beauty of this mosque , to use it as a point of reference and a source of inspiration for the public ,” said Syafiq .

He stressed that while it was true that non-Muslim tourists visited mosques not only to appreciate their architectural and artistic features but also to observe the way of worship , the mosque management should be aware that these tourists might not have the same understanding of the mosque ’ s cleanliness and sanctity as Muslims do .

“ For Muslims , entering a mosque involves having wudhu ( ablution ), among other requirements . Non-Muslims do not have these rituals , so we follow a practice similar to the Putra Mosque in Putrajaya . We restrict their entry routes and place a primary focus on cleanliness .

“ Essentially , we ask them to wash their feet before entering , even if they have not performed ablution . This is our way of emphasising that cleanliness is fundamental in Islam , and we aim to convey this by requesting them to wash their feet before entering the mosque premises .” — R & R