Description
This well-known mosque, also called Masjid Melayu (Malay Mosque), is located on the southern end of George Town, on Lebuh Acheh. A witness to a once glorious past, the Acheh Street Mosque is aesthetically pleasing. Its structure reflects a strong Moorish (northern Indian) architecture, combined with Chinese and classical elements visible in the entrance arch, the small domes on the parapet, classical columns, plaster renderings upon the walls and mehrab.
The Acheen Mosque restoration clinched the Restoration and Preservation Award from the Ministry of Higher Education, Saudi Arabia in 1999. The award was conferred for the first time in conjunction with the centennial celebration of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Next to the mosque lay the cemetery of the mosque's original benefactor, Tengku Syed Hussain Al-Aidid and members of his family. The houses surrounding the mosque today is part of the original Muslim settlement of the mid 19th century.
Another interesting mosque in Georgetown area that are open to visitors is the the Kapitan Keling Mosque.
Transport:
The mosque is easy enough to find and there are plenty of buses that run routes past it. Take Rapid Penang bus number 10, 103, 301, 302, 308, 401 or U502 to Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keiling: the Acheen St. Mosque is located at the end of Medan Cannon. Alternatively, Rapid Penang bus number 11, 101, 104, 201, 202, 203, U204 or U206 run routes to Lebuh Chulia: from here it is a short walk to the mosque.
Add to Trip