Masjid Tranquerah, Malacca, Malacca Malaysia

Masjid Tranquerah is one of the oldest mosques in the country. Featuring a Sumatran-style façade similar to Masjid Kampong Kling’s the current brick structure is more than 200 years old. It is set approximately two km towards the road leading to Port Dickson, northwest of Malacca town.

Locals call it Tranquerah Mosque and the original 18th-century structure, made of timber brought from Kalimantan, Indonesia, was built in 1728. In 1780 the mosque underwent its first renovation project: an extensive rebuilding that left only the original minaret, a freestanding octagonal structure with Chinese-style embellishments, untouched. Today, the main complex resembles most Malaccan mosques with a main prayer hall featuring a three-level roof and Malay, Chinese and Indonesian decorative elements.

In 1976 Masjid Tranquerah was declared a historical building by the Museum and Antiquities Department. Within the mosque complex is a graveyard with the tomb of Sultan Hussein Mansur Shah of Johor (the royal leader who signed the cession of Singapore over to Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819). You will have to remove your shoes before entering the mosque, plus female visitors are required to dress conservatively (knees and elbows covered); plus if possible wear a headscarf as a sign of respect. Also, as with any Malaysian mosque, be reminded that during prayer times the mosque is not open to visitors.