In Penang, Malaysia, stands a grand mosque featuring a classic architectural style. This is the Malay Central Mosque Lebuh Acheh, a house of worship said to be over two centuries old.
The mosque was established in 1808 by Tengku Syed Hussain al-Aidid, a traditional leader from Aceh, Indonesia. It is said that he was related to one of the prominent Acehnese nobles of his time.
Tengku Syed Hussain was born in Aceh. However, he was actually related to the Aceh Sultanate through the Ba’alawi and Meukuta Alam dynasties.
His father was a descendant of Imam Ahmad bin Isa Al-Muhajir Al-Husaini, a descendant of the Prophet's family (ahlul bait) who migrated from Basra to Hadramaut in the year 317 H. Meanwhile, from his mother's side, Syed Hussain carried the bloodline of the Meukuta Alam Dynasty.
The Malay Central Mosque Lebuh Acheh became one of the endowments (waqf) he provided for the Malay Muslim community in Penang. Syed Hussain is estimated to have migrated to Penang around 1792 to spread Islamic teachings and to trade. He even became a highly successful entrepreneur there.
The Former “Second Jeddah”
Located on Lebuh Acheh, George Town, Penang, Malaysia, the Malay Central Mosque Lebuh Acheh is one of the oldest mosques in Penang. The historic mosque serves as a place of worship and Islamic learning for the local Muslim community.
Its location was close to the harbor. In the past, around the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this mosque was used as a gathering point for prospective Hajj pilgrims from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand before departing for the Holy Land. Because of this vital role, the area around the Malay Central Mosque Lebuh Acheh earned the nickname "The Second Jeddah."
Prospective Hajj pilgrims from Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia would gather in Penang and be dispatched via Mansfield & Co. ships, which were chartered from a private British company.
The Malay Central Mosque Lebuh Acheh was built with references to Chinese architectural concepts, which can be seen in its minaret design. This was because the artisans who worked on the construction came from the Chinese community.
On the other hand, the architecture blends a classic Moorish style, which includes Ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Indian influences. Along with its pentagonal roof, the Malay Central Mosque Lebuh Acheh features a minaret shaped like a traditional Chinese pagoda.
The interior of the mosque is equipped with columns that are not too tall. It is estimated that this mosque can accommodate around 500 worshippers.
In the back area of the mosque lies the tomb of Syed Hussain, who passed away in the 1820s. His gravestone uses a jirat and a traditional Acehnese typology shaped like a Gada (club). It is said that the gravestone was indeed imported directly from Aceh.
The Legacies of Syed Hussain in Penang
Summarized from the Mosque Portal’s site managed by the Government of Malaysia, Syed Hussain is considered a central figure in developing Penang. Aside from the mosque, he also established houses, shops, and even an office for import and export businesses in Penang.
According to the National Archives of Malaysia, Syed Hussain established a 66,000-square-foot Muslim residential settlement in an area known as Kampung Aceh in George Town, Penang. He then successfully developed the area into one of the earliest centers for Islamic studies in Penang.
Syed Hussain endowed a massive amount of his property for the benefit of the community. According to the Indonesian Waqf Board (BWI), besides the mosque, he also donated his wealth to advance the education of Malay children in Penang, which later became known as Tuanku Syed Husein’s Home, a type of student hostel.
There was a scholarship facility known as the Tuanku Syed Husein’s Scholarship, which was granted to Malay people who wished to pursue their education at the Penang Free School, one of the oldest and best schools in Penang, which has existed since 1816.
Back in the old days, not many parents could afford to send their children to such a prestigious school. In reality, there were many smart and talented children from underprivileged families who deserved to receive and experience a good education.
Therefore, in 1883, Syed Hussain's child eventually endowed their father's wealth for the education of Malay children. Indirectly, Syed Hussain contributed to helping equalize education for disadvantaged communities at that time.
It did not stop there, as his endowed wealth was also used to help people in need of medical funds through The Penang Anti-Mendicity Society foundation.
Syed Hussain's donation funds were also utilized to build the hostel for Malay students. It is said that the hostel is now located in the Ayer Itam area of Penang. The hostel has even successfully produced prominent graduates and figures in Malaysia.
