Masjid Maqbul

Masjid Maqbul (14 June 2008)


Masjid Maqbul (GPS: 5.40368, 100.32569), also called Masjid Lama Sungai Pinang, is an old Malay mosque at Sungai Pinang, Jelutong. It marks the northern end of Jelutong, immediately after Sungai Pinang Bridge.

Masjid Maqbul is one of the oldest mosques in Penang. It started as a small surau, and was rebuilt in bricks in 1850. At that time, it was known as Mesjid Tuan Guru, after the influential 19th century religious teacher, Abdul Ghani of Madura. Masjid Maqbul in Jelutong and Masjid Tuan Guru in Tanjong Tokong are the two mosques in Penang that have been inspired by him.

Another view of Masjid Maqbul (2 December 2008)


Masjid Maqbul stands on the site of an older Acehnese mosque. In the old days, Achehnese traders would sail up Sungai Pinang to the mosque, where they would trade with the Malays living in kampungs along the river. Farther upriver, there is another settlement founded by an Achehnese called Haji Kassim. After his death, the settlement became known as Kampung Makam. It still exists today, and can be accessed through Dato Kramat Road.

Masjid Maqbul was built by Malays and Indian Muslims. The Penang Riots of 1867 caused a split among the Muslims in Jelutong, so much so that they could not worship at the same mosque. A splinter group started Masjid Baru nearby. Thereafter, Masjid Maqbul was also known as Masjid Lama Sungai Pinang.

View of Masjid Maqbul and its surroundings (2 December 2008)

Getting there

From the Weld Quay Ferry & Bus Terminal, take Rapid Penang bus 301, 302 and 401 pass through Jalan Jelutong.

The dome of Masjid Maqbul (14 June 2008)

Masjid Maqbul is on the Map of Jalan Jelutong

Masjid Makbul is on the map of the Places of Worship in Jelutong

Masjid Maqbul is on the Map of Jelutong

List of Mosques in Penang and Mosques in Malaysia