Jamek Mosque of Kuala Lumpur (2017)

December 05, 2017

The mosque was built on the location of an old Malay burial place at the confluence of Klang and Gombak Rivers and was named Jamek Mosque. A couple of mosques previously existed in the Java Street and Malay Street area serving the Malay communities, but Jamek Mosque was the first large mosque to be built in Kuala Lumpur.

The foundation stone of the mosque was laid by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sir Alaeddin Sulaiman Shah on 23 March 1908, and the Sultan officially opened the mosque on 23 December 1909.

The mosque has since been enlarged with extensions built, and the originally open-air forecourt roofed over. One of the domes of the mosque collapsed in 1993 due to heavy rain but has since been repaired.

On 23 June 2017, the mosque was renamed Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek Mosque by Selangor's Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah after his ancestor — the fourth Sultan of Selangor Sultan Abdul Samad — as the mosque was originally built on land that was part of the state of Selangor.

The architect was Arthur Benison Hubback who designed the mosque in the Indo-Saracenic style, loosely reflecting the Indian Muslim Mughal architectural style.

The design of the mosque has been described as Moorish, Indo-Saracenic, or Mughal architecture. A. B Hubback also designed a number of building in similar styles, such as the Kuala Lumpur railway station and the Ubudiah Mosque in Kuala Kangsar.

The mosque has 2 main minarets among other smaller ones; the pattern of pink and white banding of the minarets, formed of brick and plaster, has been described as "blood and bandage". The mosque has 3 domes, the largest of which reached 21.3 meters (70 ft) in height. The prayer hall is located beneath the domes. The mosque was refurbished in 1984 and the minaret nearest the river was underpinned as it was already sloping.

Jamek Mosque, officially known as Sultan Abdul Samad Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in the city. Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. The mosque was designed by Arthur Benison Hubback and built-in 1909 near the Klang and Gombak rivers.

Mahmud Ghaznavi Mosque Odigram (2019)

The Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi Mosque stands as a testament to the rich architectural heritage of northern Pakistan and is revered as one of the oldest mosques in the region. Its discovery can be credited to the Italian Archaeological Mission in Pakistan, which stumbled upon its grandeur in 1985. This remarkable mosque showcases the splendor of ancient Muslim architecture, captivating visitors with its captivating design.

The journey of exploration began when, by a stroke of luck, an Arabic inscription etched on black marble was found in 1984 on the slopes of the hill below the majestic Raja Gira Castle. The inscription revealed that the mosque was established in HE 440 (1048-49 CE) under the orders of Amir Nustagin, a Ghaznavid General. Interestingly, this inscription remains the only historical evidence of Amir Nustagin's existence.

Excavation work at the site commenced in 1985 and continued until 1999. The findings unveiled a hypostyle mosque, featuring original wooden supports. The mosque occupied an early artificial terrace, adorned with remnants of Gandharan masonry, showcasing the influence of the Gandhara civilization on its construction.

Once the ruins were unearthed, the remnants of 30-foot-high walls immediately caught attention, along with the discovery of a graveyard, common rooms, student quarters, and even a water mill. These walls also revealed traces of a Buddhist stupa that had predated the construction of the mosque, reflecting the cultural and historical layers interwoven at the site.

The architectural layout of the mosque adheres to the conventional design pattern of mosques, boasting a rectangular plan measuring 28 meters by 21 meters. Its high walls, constructed with schist stone in a rough diaper masonry style, envelop the sacred space. Although the original roof is no longer intact, the stone bases of wooden pillars remain, with five pillars running from north to south and eight pillars from east to west. The mehrab, marking the direction of prayer, is positioned at the center of the west wall, while an off-center entrance on the east wall stands in opposition to it. The prayer chamber, encompassing the mehrab, is elevated and features a beaten earth floor, while the remaining area is paved with schist stone slabs, forming the courtyard with an ablution tank at its center. Towards the northern side of the building, a series of three oblong-shaped rooms known as "ziyada" can be found. Additionally, three bastions or towers grace the exterior of this side, offering glimpses of both Hindu Shahi and Ribat architectural influences. The mehrab itself displays a square shape, indicating its pre-Seljuk origins.

The history of the Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi Mosque is deeply intertwined with the region of Odigram. Situated in the vicinity of the Raja Gira Castle, the mosque was originally known as the Raja Gira Mosque. It is important to note that it should not be confused with Raja Griha in India. Dating back to the period of Mahmud of Ghazni or his grandson Maudud (1041-50 A.D.), the mosque holds the distinction of being the earliest mosque in northern Pakistan. The settlement in the area grew around the tomb of a revered saint, which later led to the construction of a small and simple mausoleum. This tomb, known as Ghazi Baba tomb, is actually the final resting place of the General of Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi, named Pir Khushal. Pir Khushal achieved martyrdom while defeating Raja Gira, and his tomb has become a revered site for locals and visitors alike. Today, this historical mosque attracts numerous visitors who flock to Swat during the summer, drawn by its rich heritage and captivating charm.

Jamiah Mosque Mohalla Muhammad Khelanwala Wan Bhachran

250218

I was travelling from Quaidabad towards Lahore, while passing from a small town of Wan Bhacran, I suddenly saw three beautiful domes of mosques standing at some distance in streets. I thought to visit it, on reaching near I found it is not that old mosque, however domes are beautiful configured which is main attraction of this mosque.

Shahi Masjid Depalpur

27-11-2016

The Shahi Masjid Depalpur is a very old mosque, almost six hundred years old. It was built during the reign of Sultan Firuz Shah Tughlaq, who ruled over the Sultanate of Delhi from 1351 to 1388. Sultan Firuz Shah Tughlaq was a Turkish Muslim ruler from the Tughlaq Dynasty. He was the son of a Rajput Hindu princess from Dipalpur, and his father's name was Rajab (the younger brother of Ghazi Malik) who had the title Sipahsalar.

The Shahi Masjid Depalpur is a significant symbol of the glorious period when Muslim rulers held power in Depalpur. Unfortunately, during the Sikh era, the mosque suffered severe damage and was even turned into a stable for horses. However, in 1950, efforts were made to repair and expand the mosque's courtyard.

During the construction of a new floor inside the mosque, excavations went six feet deep, and interestingly, they uncovered alcohol refineries from the Sikh era. 

The walls of the mosque were constructed using a special mixture made from black lentils, jaggery (a type of sweetener), and gajni (a type of plaster). According to the accounts of older individuals, this unique mortar was believed to gain strength over a hundred years, showcasing the skill and durability of the builders.

There is a tomb in courtyard of mosque, it is said that this grave is of religious man who came in depalpur for preaching Islam in era of Sikh reign.