Our History - Masjidul Jamiah Mosque

THE HISTORY

NO.1, JAVA LANE, COLOMBO 1.

About the Mosque

It was in the year 1857, when the disbandment of the Ceylon Malay Rifle regiment was under contemplation, that Messrs.’ Aabdul Hameed Bahar, Baba Oonus Saldin, Ahamat Bahar, Subadar Adjutant Jumat and Baba Deen Borham met and formed the Pensioners and General fund. The object of this organization was to build a Mosque and also purchase a block of land for a burial ground. Their efforts proved successful and both objectives were accomplished within a short period of time. The Mosque when completed was called “Masjidul Jjamiah”, and later a burial ground was laid out at Jawatta. Both institutions were placed under the supervision of Mr. Abdul Hameed Bahar… continue reading

At this time, it was customary for the Malay Regiment to come for prayers with the full regalia of performing Pipe, Bandsmen and throbbing drummers. Hence it derived its synonym – the Malay Military Mosque.

In the year 1921, the first general meeting was held with the following members elected to the Board of Trustees: Mr. M. K. Saldin – President, Mr. T. A. Amath, Mr. J. S. Cassim, Mr. A. D. Hameem. Mr. B. Samahon, Mr. A. N.Saldin, Mr. M. Assan, Mr. H. H. Bahar, Mr. S. M. Johar, Mr. T. S Sabar, Mr. A. Sappideen, and Mr. S. A. Yahiha Moulana.

The initiative to conduct Jumma prayers at all three mosques of Kompannavidiya was first mooted by our trustees as way back as the 1950s. Although overcrowding during Jumma prayers was not so acute as at present, the practicality of this suggestion was accepted only much later.

The other memorable event in the history of the mosque was the Centenary Celebrations with a fair held in December, 1964 at Isabel Court, Kollupitiya , Colombo. this event culminated by the Malaysian High Commissioner making a generous donation, and with contributions from members and well-wishers of the congregation it was possible for the mosque authorities to construct a new wing, a stairway including an upstairs section to the mosque.

Historical Background

The Java Lane Mosque was founded in 1864. It rose in prominence as a Jummah mosque however, due to a misunderstanding between the Regimental Malays (Orang Regimen) and the Free Malays or civilians (Orang Priman) in 1869′ before this dispute took place both the Free and Regimental Malays used the Wekande Mosque for the obligatory Friday congregational prayers. Since its inception the men of the Regiment, which included Officers and other ranks, and the retired pensioners (Orang penson) had firm control of the management of the mosque in which the family of Latiffs hereditarily held the position of Katheeb. Although the exact details of this dispute is unclear it appears to have begun with the election of a Katheeb or chief priest named Taiban to the wekande Mosque. The civilians of the area had however given their fullest support to the new Khateeb and this had led to the members of the Regiment to boycott the prayers held at the Wekande Mosque. This led the Regimental Malays to subsequently congregate at a small mosque in Java Lane. The dispute between the two factions was finally reconciled in 1886 after the death of the controversial priest. However according to other information, the alleged reason for the dispute was caused due to the Khatheeb of the Wekande Mosque proceeding with the Fridays prayers without waiting for the Regimental Malays who had purportedly arrived late on a particular day.

Thus we see that Messrs Abdul Hameed Bahar, Baba Ounus Saldin, Ahamat Bahar, Subadar Adjutant Jumat, Baba Deen Borhammet and formed a Pensioners and General Fund which provided the necessary funds for the upgrading of the small Java Lane mosque, whiCh was also referred to as the “Pensioners’ Mosque” This mosque became a fully-fledged Jummah Mosque and came to be known as Masjidul Jamiah, as it is known today.aT It is also interesting to note that at that time’ it was customary for the Regimental Malays to come for Friday prayers in full military regalia of performing pipe bandsmen and throbbing drummers. Thus the name “Malay Military Mosque”.

Salient Architectural Features

The Java Lane Mosque was founded in 1864 and is built on fifteen perches and 3/5th perch of land bought for a sum of Rs.2500/= the original mosque covered an area of about 60 square feet.

The façade of the mosque according to the secretary of the Board of trustees, Mr. S.F Yahiya is in most part the original one which was later redone in 1921. The simple yet elegant facade indeed reflects a type of old world charm & colonial architectural elements are also apparent. The apex of the facade is in the shape of a dome, which is characteristic of Islamic architecture. The structure is made out of cabook and clay and the walls are about 12 inches in thickness.

The main doorway is the original one measuring about 8 feet in height and 5 feet wide. The wooden door however is a recent replacement’ the main window on the right hand side of the entrance is an original one and the decorative ventilation grill is both beautiful and intricate. The window (opening only) measures 4 feet in height and 7.2 feet in length.

The main weight bearing supports consists of steel columns that measure about 8’5″ x 4.5” and 10.4’ in thickness and height respectively. These columns support the Burma teak ceiling which is held in place by steel H-girders. According to Mr. Yahiya the mosque was originally a single storied building, which could accommodate a congregation of about 100 persons. The second floor according to him may have been added in 1921.

Minbar & Mihrab

These original structures have been present since the inception of the mosque and its functions have been previously mentioned. Special note should be taken of the elaborate Arabic calligraphy inscribed above the mihrab. Calligraphy is an essential part of lslamic art and architecture. In the absence of any decorative figures or images (since such things are prohibited according to Islamic law) the ancient Muslim artists and architects found alternate ways of adding decorative elements to their buildings. Thus they took to beautifying the Arabic script. In mosques these calligraphic texts were usually Quranic verses and the like.

Tha Ablution Pond

The ablution pond is an indispensable feature in any mosque. It provides clean water which is used to cleanse oneself before offering prayers at the mosque. According to Mr. Yahiya the present pond of the mosque is part of the original one.

The Second Floor

The second floor has wooden columns and support beams. The central beam is the original one. Although the present roofing comprise of asbestos cement sheets, it was originally tiled with indigenous local tiles Sinhala ulu.

contribute towards the re-development of Masjidul Jamiah

find out how

Katheebs & Trustees

The Katheebs at the Inception

1864 - 1979

Mr. Baba Abdul Hamid Bahar

Mr. Tuan Kitchil Hamid Bahar

Hassan Hamid Bahar

Baba Barro Bahar

Moulavi V. S. A. Fazul Mohamed

The First Board of Trustees

1874

Abdul Bahar

Subadar Adjutant Jumat

Baba Deen Borham

Baba Oonoos Saldin

Ahamat Sabar

Katheebs from 1979 Onwards

1979+

Name	Year
Abdul Bahar	1979
Janab G. G. I. Jamaldeen	1979
Janab A. H. M. Salahudeen	1982
Janab A. H. M. Rasheed	1984
Al Haj P. M. M. Thajudeen	1990
Janab M. T. M. Rizvi	1992
Moulavi N. Nisthar	1997
Moulavi A. Majeed	2000
Moulavi Abdul Haleem (Al Mazahiri)	2003
Moulavi S. A. R. M. S. Kaleel	2008
Moulavi A. R. Ibrahim (Al Najahi)	2009
Moulavi S. L. M. Silmy (Al Baari)	2010 to date

The First Board of Trustees

1874

#	Name	Year
1	Mr. A. H. Bahar	1874
2	Mr. S. A. Jumat	1874
3	Mr. B. D. Borham	1874
4	Mr. B. O. Saldin	1874
5	Mr. A. Sabar	1874
6	Mr. T. A. Amath	1921
7	Mr. J. S. Cassim	1921
8	Mr. A. D. Hameem	1921
9	Mr. G. Samahon	1921
10	Mr. A. N. Saldin	1921
11	Mr. M. Assan	1921
12	Mr. H. H. Bahar	1921
13	Mr. S. M. Johar	1921
14	Mr. T. S. Sabar	1921
15	Mr. A. Sappideen	1921
16	Mr. M. K. Saldsin	1921
17	Mr. S. A. Yahiya Moulana	1921
18	Mr. M. S. Jaldin	1926
19	Mr. B. D. Amith	1926
20	Mr. T. K. H. Bahar	1926
21	Mr. M. J. Lye	1926
22	Al Haj Dr. M.P. Drahaman	1936
23	Mr. T. K. H. Deen	1948
24	Mr. B. Z. Lye	1948
25	Mr. M. N. Lye	1948
26	Al Haj. H. N. Jainudeen	1948
27	Mr. M. G. Samahon	1948
28	Mr. T. Y. Mahmooth	1948
29	Mr. S. F. Saldin	1948
30	Mr. T. A. Laxana	1963
31	Dr. S. S. Drahaman	1963
32	Mr. S. M. Rasheed	1964
33	Mr. T. A. Dole	1964
34	Mr. M. S. Ossman	1964
35	Al Haj. D. C. Camball	1964
36	Mr. T. M. J. Miskin	1964
37	Al Haj. T. H. Nooramith	1972
38	Al Haj. M. C. Raban	1976
39	Mr. M. B. Sallay	1977
40	Mr. M. Alafdeen	1981
41	Mr. W. N. Drahaman	1987
42	Mr. R. M. Sabar	1987
43	Mr. T. F. Iyne	1988 to-date
44	Al Haj. M. K. Raban	1990 to-date
45	Mr. S. F. Yahiya	1997
46	Al Haj. T. S. N. Jumadin	1997
47	Dr. R. S. Drahaman	1997 to-date
48	Al Haj. M. S. H. Lantra	1998
49	Mr. M. R. Hassan	1998 to-date
50	Mr. T. A. Sappideen	1998
51	Mr. T. M. Mashood	1998
52	Al Haj. A. M. M. Kamileen	2001 to-date
53	Al Haj A. R. Pallie	2001 to-date
54	Al Haj. M. Z. Raban	2003 to-date
55	Mr. M. F. Nasoordeen	2004 to-date
56	Mr. Iqram Cuttilan	2012 to-date
57	Mr. M. M. Cassim	2013
58	Al Haj M. H. M. Mackeen	2013 to-date

BANK INFORMATION

Bank Name

Beneficiary Name

Account Number

Branch Name

Swift Code

Bank Code

Branch Code

THE HISTORY

NO.1, JAVA LANE, COLOMBO 1.

About the Mosque

Historical Background

Salient Architectural Features

Minbar & Mihrab

Tha Ablution Pond

The Second Floor

contribute towards the re-development of Masjidul Jamiah

Katheebs & Trustees

The Katheebs at the Inception

1864 - 1979

The First Board of Trustees

1874

Katheebs from 1979 Onwards

1979+

The First Board of Trustees

1874

Notable Mentions

Officials of the Masjid

M. K. Saldin

Al Haj Dr. M.P. Drahaman

Baba Zahiere Lye

Colombo, Sri Lanka