Project 2: Study on Masjid Jamek, Kuala Lumpur

Overview. 

Architect : Arthur Benison HubbackLocation: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Built: 1907
Opened Officially: 1909
Style: Indo-Saracenic Moorish
Type: Religious - Mosque
Alias: Masjid Jamek. 

Masjid Jamek is one of the oldest mosques in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is located at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak River and was designed by Arthur Benison Hubback. The Sultan of Selangor then officially opened the masjid in 1909, two year after the construction was completed. The mosques was built on the first Malay burial ground in the city. The mosque has a Moorish Architecture. Acroos the Klang River stands the Sultan Abdul Samad building, a building that was designed by the same architect and shares a similar style. Masjid Jamek is the main masjid of Kuala Lumpur until the Masjid Negara was built in 1965 near the railway station. The Masjid Jamek cost RM32,625 and the money was raise by subscription from the malaysian community and the government funds, served as the centre of Islamic activities in  Kuala Lumpur until it was shifted to the new constructed National Mosque in 1967. It's palm trees and the location on the banks of the Klang and Gombak rivers provide a tranquil setting that compliments the Masjid Jamek's exquisite domed tower. 

Architecture of Tawhid or Respect. 

Based on the Moorish Style of Architecture, the Masjid Jamek's architecture embodies the self-fulfilment, and submit own will to Allah. The architecture of Masjid Jamek was built to serve the people of the religion during its time back in the early 20th century. Encourages to cleanse the heart and keep apart from the evil desires. It is a reminder to the people ever since then until now about guidance and to respect not only in Allah but also each other. In respect to the Masjid Jamek wise age, the building undergone a few expansion but hardly renovation to alter the Masjid Jamek unique bare bricks facade which actually reflected on to the Sultan Abdul Samad building located nearby that could be seen in the olden days. It is also built around an existing cemetery which is respected by not disturbing it and building on top of it. 

Architecture of Dikr' or Remembrance.

The principle of remembrance Dikr can be seen very obviously by the columns repetition of throughout and internally of the mosque. Even the rhythmic repetition of the new-moorish design of the beautiful arches are a form of the 7th principle of Islamic Architecture. The picture above and below depicts the repeated columns around the parameter of Masjid Jamek. Apart from that it can be seen the remembrance principle is shown from the repetition of the minaret throughout the building. 

Architecture of Haya' or Modesty. 

Masjid Jamek was buit not to impress or to create landmark, but purely for the function of muslims to pray throughout the day in Kuala Lumpur. The principle of Haya' is not very obvious as a privacy of space of courtyard or privacy screen, rather its the opposite. The modesty characteristics in Masjid Jamek, is actually the mosque itself. It is not made to be very grand or a masterpiece, rather a very humble single storey mosque that meets its function very for the longest time. Modesty can also been by the choice of material, and shape of the building. Very square and simple design nothing too fancy. 

Interviews.

Interview 1.

Name: Nor Mohamed. 

Occupation: Caretaker of Masjid Jamek. 

Status: A regular in Masjid Jamek. 

Question 1: How do feel about Masjid Jamek?

Happy. A mosque is Allah’s house and I am very please to be able to have the opportunity to sit in His house. Whenever I am in His house I very calm, and I can find tranquility. 

Question 2: What does a mosque mean to you?

In the mosque is where we find serenity and be separated from all the negative energy, hectic of a working life, and ‘maksiat’. We should visit the mosque often, because we can find order in our hearts again, have a close relationship with Allah by doing all the ‘sunat’ prayers , such as solat taubat, solat dhuha, solat masjid, etc.

Interview 2.

Name: Ahmed Naim

Occupation: CEO of AdaVista Sdn Bhd. 

Status: A visitor of Masjid Jamek. 

Question 1: How do you feel when you are in Masjid Jamek?

I feel very calm and secluded from the busy worldly affairs that are going on around us. In here everyone would feel the same as they all have the same agenda when they are in the mosque, which is ‘submitting to Allah’.  Here is where people come and perform their responsibilities as a muslim and find purity and purpose in our lives.

Question 2: What is unique about Masjid Jamek?

To me the location is very unique whereby the entrance is very easy for the people around to enter and do their prayers, plus the distance is very near, especially for the pedestrians. As well as the structure of the building is very suitable for the pedestrians that are constantly around the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

Conclusion. 

In my opinion, Masjid Jamek is probably one of the most true to the meaning and function of a mosque should be. Nowadays, mosque are becoming more and more of a social status or symbol of a country to that it is successful and has gone astray of its true purpose which is, to serve the society as a centre of religious purposes. All the way from the plans of the building to the structure, the materials, and design of spaces makes it a wonderful mosque to be in.