As I grow older, I find myself trying to connect more with the past and attempting to learn about the various factors that contributed to my heritage. Many Cape Townians, like myself, have both Malay and Ottoman blood running through their veins. Forced into slavery, many dignitaries, politicians, and royalty were sent to South Africa due to their opposition of Dutch colonialism in South East Asia. Known as the Children of Warriors, these individuals were the first in South Africa to introduce Islam as a religion.
I was drawn to Malaysia with its cultural familiarity and religious symbolism-this country boasts some of the most beautiful mosques and scenery that I’ve ever seen. It also mirrors much of the culture that I grew up with in Cape Town. There was something so magical and cathartic about traveling through time by visiting various monuments and buildings that are so special to the Malay people.
Interestingly enough, I ended up traveling here because of an injured leg. While attempting to retrieve his luggage, my father had ultimately tripped and sprained his ankle as well as several of the muscles in his leg. As a result, his movements were extremely limited and he worried about how he would return home. Since his visit to Kuala Lumpar coincided with a national holiday, he was unable to see a doctor until a few days later. I made the decision to pick him up and was able to explore Malaysia in the process. Little did I know, I would fall in love with the country as a whole.
Masjid Negara
We spent the first day hopping from mosque to mosque. Each place we visited was exceptionally beautiful and unique. Malaysian architecture uses a combination of water and marble in order to create an aesthetically pleasing look, which also serves to keep the buildings at a reasonable temperature during the warmer months. The first mosque we visited was the National Mosque of Malaysia, known as Masjid Negara. Spread across 13 acres, this building is a nationwide symbol of Islam. Able to accommodate up to 15,000 people, individuals of all religions are allowed to tour and take photos in the masjid (just be sure you visit after prayers are done). The mosque also provides longer garments and headscarves for visitors to wear during the visit.
As someone who has visited hundreds of mosques in their lifetime, I can confidently say that Malaysia outshines many other countries. The attention to detail, friendliness of their tourists guides and security team, as well as the buildings themselves are awe-inspiring. There’s also a few little food trucks that sit outside in case you get thirsty (which we did).
The Wilayah Mosque (Federal Territory Mosque)
We then drove to the the Wilayah Mosque, which is an extraordinary mixture of Ottoman and Malay architectural styles. This place will leave you breathless- the colors, columns, minarets, and marble flooring all contribute to it’s remarkable exterior. With a team of volunteers to perform guided tours, this is the perfect place to learn about the culture and architecture of Malaysia. Do not be surprised to see couples take pre-wedding photos- we ended up running into an entire wedding party who happened to color coordinate with the mosque’s beautiful blue and gold dome. There are also a few stray cats that roam around the mosque and we could not help but stop and have a mini photoshoot.
The Putra Mosque (Pink Mosque)
We ended our day at The Putra Mosque, which is one of the most stunning contemporary mosques in the world. Inspired by the Persian Islamic architecture of the Safavid era, this beautiful building boasts rose-tinted granite and faces the scenic Putrajaya Lake. Although it was a little drive out of the city (approximately 45 minutes), I knew that I could not leave Malaysia without seeing this mosque first.
Since we visited on a national holiday, hundreds of families could be seen playing in the outdoor compound- children were flying kites, skateboarding, and even riding bikes. There are a variety of food stalls located next to the lake, and the mosque also offered free Wifi. Regardless of the time you visit, this mosque is a sight to behold. However, I would try to get there before sunset so you are able to appreciate and photograph the pink mosque during the day and once the sun sets.
Note: While there were a ton of mosques in Kuala Lumpar, we were only able to explore some of the main ones due to time constraints. However, if you are visiting, I would definitely check out the following: Blue Mosque Selangor, Iron Mosque Putrajaya, Masjid Raja Fisabilillah Cyberjaya. These are only several of the many amazing mosques in Malaysia.
