Call to Prayer

The Bintulu mosque, Masjid Daerah Bintulu - circa 1920

Yesterday I went to Masjid Daerah Bintulu to perform my Friday prayers. After that I took pictures of the 'Beduk' which is a big drum made of wood and goatskin. In the good old days, the drum would be sounded five times a day to call Muslim to prayers. Nowadays, people use loudspeakers and microphone to amplify the call to prayers or 'Azan' over the PA system.

Observe the very top picture. On both towers is faintly shown the 'Beduk' which is the same as above. As a young kid I used to climb the tower and hit the 'Beduk' in successive drumming and tempo at the point of 'Azan' to indicate prayer time. It is my fervent hope that this instrument will forever be kept as a historical relic by the Bintulu mosque authority.

Friday Prayers

On Friday I join the Muslim comunity in Bintulu for the regular Friday congregational prayers.

On the way to the carpark, I stopped by the minaret which is at a distance from the main mosque building. Architecturally,the minaret is connected to the main mosque by a water body. I thought an interesting concept.

Friday Prayers at Bintulu's biggest mosque

Today, as is normal for every Muslim men , I went to Masjid Assaykiriin , Bintulu's biggest mosque to perform my Friday prayers. It has become my routine now go to my parents house after every Friday prayers to join them for lunch .

Praying at Assyakirriin Mosque, Bintulu.

Crepe myrtle ( Lagerstroemia indica ) plants in colours of pink, red and mauve greet Muslims as they enter the Assyakiriin mosque's landscaped compound to join other Muslims in Friday congregational prayers inside the fully packed praying hall.