Kelantan - Masjid Kampung Laut

This mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Malaysia, its uniqueness lies in the fact that it was built entirely without the use of nails. It was built in the 1730's, the mosque is representative of architectural styles that reflect most of the characteristics of traditional local architecture.

The mosque was raised on stilts, about 1 metre above ground level to avoid floods that inundate the area during monsoon seasons. Building materials were collected locally and every piece was painstakingly handcrafted to perfection. The entire structure of the mosque was put together without hammering a single nail.

Kampung Laut mosque was originally constructed in Kampung Laut, Tumpat, on the banks of the Kelantan River. However, when the big flood of 1967 caused part of the land on which it was standing to collapse into the river, it was moved to its present location in Nilam Puri.

Kampung Laut mosque is still an active religious centre and the mosque caters to the community. It is regarded as one of the most important living museums in Peninsular Malaysia.

Johor - Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque

Image by soham_pablo via Flickr

Image by ^riza^ via Flickr

This mosque is located on top of a hill on Jalan Abu Bakar. This century old mosque is said to be one of the most beautiful landmark in Malaysia. Sultan Abu Bakar mosque was named after the late Sultan Abu Bakar, the "Father of Modern Johor". It took eight years to build which was completed in 1900 and can accommodate 2000 worshippers at one time.

Today, the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque is listed as a protected heritage monument by the Department of Museums and Antiquities.