Masjid Melayu (Jamek) Lebuh Acheh, Georgetown, Penang

It is popularly known as Masjid Acheh. It was founded in 1808 (after Masjid Kapitan Keling was built). The philanthropist was Tengku Syed Hussain Idid, who donated his land (wakaf). His grave is at the rear/kiblat side of the masjid. The compound houses Masjid Acheh, 2 big old wooden houses (one is not used), an old kampung house on stilts with ceramic roof tiles & walls painted black. There are a few blocks of modern townhouses which border the front entrance of the grounds. There are two major entrances to the grounds, one on Lebuh Acheh directly faces the minaret, and the other is nearer the ablution venue. There are passages/alleys in between the blocks of townhouses.

More photos of Masjid Acheh in my Facebook album.

Masjid Acheh, Penang

Lebuh Acheh Mosque
Acheen Street Mosque 
Penang

History

This is my assumption of the history of Masjid Acheh...

Cauder Merican had built Masjid Kapitan Keling after he became a successful entrepreneur. He had travelled to many places in the region including north Sumatera. The people of Acheh could have been among the pioneer batch of builders of Masjid Kapitan Keling.

Why are there two mosques within close reach of each other? This, I do not understand. When there must be a minimum of 40 men assigned to each mosque, how can there be another mosque nearby? There must be some reason.

A plausible reason could be that the sermons at Masjid Kapitan Keling were delivered in the native tongue (Tamil or Urdu?) which the Acheh people could not understand. They therefore built another mosque where the Acheh language was used (till today?).

Another reason could be, there was insufficient space at Masjid Kapitan Keling that the Acheh people constructed another mosque nearby.

Yet another reason could be that the Acheh people lived in that area, populated that area, there were so many of them (more than 40 men and families) and they wanted a mosque in that area for themselves. They could be Indonesians from Acheh and Riau.

The real reason for having two beautiful mosques within close range of each other is unknown.

Author's photos of Masjid Acheh viewed from Masjid Kapitan Keling's minaret, 19 Nov 2008.

 Masjid Acheh Internet pics.

Masjid Acheh from Izaham Musa's Facebook (used with permission, 25 January 2010).