(3) Masjid Kapitan Keling 1801

Culture, worship and graves

18-19 November 2008

History

There are ancient graves in the grounds of Masjid Kapitan Keling and at Kampung Kolam. The grave of the first Imam of Masjid Kapitan Keling lies at a corner of Masjid Kapitan Keling, between the mosque and the minaret. His name is unknown.

The graves of the builders are in the front yard of Bangunan Nordin. There are graves inside the roofless mausoleum adjoining Bangunan Nordin.

Another mausoleun lies at Kampung Kolam. Kampung Kolam was an early village which had a well, providing water for the vicinity. It was built by Cauder Merican and his clan.

The photographs included here were taken by me on my visit to the mosque, graves and mausoleum on 18-19 November 2008. I had obtained permission from Qariyah Masjid to do photoshoot. They are provided here so you know history.

Grave at Masjid Kapitan Keling:

Grave of the first Imam of Masjid Kapitan Keling.

Graves at Bangunan Nordin:

Graves of the mosque builders in 1800s. Nobody has done carbon-dating on these ancient remains.

Enclosure of the roofless mausoleum adjoining Bangunan Nordin.

 Kampung Kolam

Graves at Kampung Kolam:

Graves of Cauder Merican clan at Kampung Kolam. Some of the tombstones are similar to the ones found in Acheh?

Delapidated mausoleum at Kampung Kolam. It contains the graves of the pioneer Merican family.

Solat space adjoing the burial space inside the mausoleum.

Uneven floor and steps inside the mausoleum at Kampung Kolam.

A number of long unidentified graves inside the mausoleum.

Affandi reading the almost blur inscriptions on the tombstones. We could identify some of the graves but not all of them.

A reason I was informed that these graves were unmarked is to avoid identification and also people from performing wrongdoing (bida'ah memuja di makam). The real reasons I don't know. Whatever the reasons are, I still think we must re-develop this mausoleum and label the graves properly. Clear the inside and outside and open it to public viewing so people know that these were pioneers.