Masjid India, Kuching

Masjid India is perhaps the oldest standing masjid in Kuching, though the nearby Masjid Bahagian is built on a hill top that held an older structure. Masjid India is so named because the small Kuching Indian community requested the land to build the mosque from the first White Rajah, James Brooke, in the late 1800’s. Over time, the Indians, who were mostly traders, built shop houses adjoining one another around the perimeter of the deeded land, until the masjid was completely contained. Only a few modest signs mark the main entrances into the enclosed compound, such that upon subsequent visits I still did not notice them. Only after having my lunch at a “mamak” restaraunt and hearing the call again did I enquire from the shopkeeper where I might make salat. He directed me to the back of his store. Past the bathrooms, through the kitchen I went, till I stepped through a doorway and found myself on the grounds of the masjid.

The masjid is very modest. Grungy may be a better word. It is dimly lit, since the open spaces between the backs of the shops and the roof of the masjid have been roofed over with corrugated metal sheets to protect against the heavy seasonal rains. The rugs in the main hall look worn; only thin vinyl sheeting covers the bare cement in the outer prayer areas. The masjid is clad in wood siding thickly covered with greenish paint. The views away from the masjid terminate abruptly at the fading whitewash coating the rear ends of the shophouses. The mihrab is decorated with a blend of small greyish tiles more often seen in bathrooms. One formal entrance squeezes between shops selling scarves, clothes and the like. Another informal entrance is barely wide enough for a toddler to pass – most people must turn their shoulders to fit through (my toddlers are presented there for scale, with their aunty). It comes out in the bulk storage area of a spice and dry goods store.

The people inhabiting the area in the off hours add to the gritty feeling. In between prayer times, a few men can be found resting here and there. The masjid’s location at the end of several bus lines means many visitors are transient, on their way to somewhere else. The small number of blind people who eke out an existence around the district (by selling packets of tissues on a donation basis, actually a nice practice to prevent the appearance of begging) can often be found taking refuge from the crowds.

Despite all that, the masjid is surprisingly pleasant. It is quieter than you would imagine during the day despite the bustle outside. Something about its mystery and age make it very appealing to me. Among the relics not often found in masajid any more is a large drum called a beduk. As I mentioned elsewhere, such drums where used to draw attention prior to the calling of the adhan, in the days before microphones and loudspeakers. My favorite detail of all is the wudu area. The only unroofed area of the masjid, the middle of the wudu area is filled with potted plants making use of the “gray” wudu water that would otherwise go down the drain wasted, while enlivening the masjid with a bit of green. I would love to see this idea incorporated in other masajid. All in all, the India Street district is perhaps the earliest example of that modern Malaysian innovation, a shopping mall with a built-in prayer area.

10 thoughts on “Masjid India, Kuching

  1. Once it was named “Non-Malays Mosque” coz it was misleading and incorrect but later renamed to Masjid India or the official name is Masjid Bandar Kuching.

    Previously the wudhu area i.e. the place where the plants now situated once full of water like a “kolam”, and people taking wudhu from the kolam. The kolam is full of fish.

    The drum call ‘beduk’, still operational before azan is called.

  2. I noticed these pictures at Flickr, read their titles and thought you had paid a return visit to Delhi or what!

    I have never seen a big drum like that. It is used as a pre-call to prayer too? Wow, this is new to me. I thought in the region people only use the beduk, the hollowed, wooden thingy. There is an art at hitting the beduk. One for prayer, one for calling the villagers for important annnouncement by the headman, etc etc. How do they use the drum, can you ask?

    And the picture titled Masjid India’s ground, is the bulky whitened wall the mihrab?

  3. As-Shohbah, did the people actually taking the wudhu from the fish-filled wudhu pond? I remember falling into a fish pond once, and the water was very slimy…

  4. Anak Alam: Yes, the bulky portrusion is the back of the mihrab.

    Ashshohbah: I had no idea the beduk was still being used! The old drums from madrassah al-kamaliyyah in Perak that I linked to are out of service now, though I remember them still being used back in 1998.

  5. Yes they do, the water is fine, crystal clear and cold. Perhaps the fish were not as many as in a fish pond and they used to clean it once a month. I don’t know what kind of fish, but they look like koi.

    Once a while we did see or hear some one falling into the pond…..usually Allahyarham Pak Kip,…nice memory.

    The beduk is still in used.

  6. What about the table made from kayu berlian or kayu cengal. Is it still in the mosque somewhere?

  7. Ah, I remembered passing Masjid India with my dad back in the days. We used the route as a shortcut to get to the wet market (just opposite the textile shop) where they sold the best sate in town – Sate Ceko. Sadly after they demolished the markets to make a “better” Waterfront, I’ve yet to visit the mosque. I think I’ll visit it again after the finals are over. For old times sake.

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