Masjid Lama Arau and Its Tombs, Perlis

   A sudden decision is made , instead of a short weekend gateway like usual, ended up travelling  to Perlis, the land of the paradise (note: i have yet to find the right word for 'kayangan'). Masjid and mosque are used intermittently for this entry.

Masjid Lama Arau

Masjid Lama Arau now known as Centre of Sunnah

A brief history on its construction :

Considered as the oldest mosque in Arau, it is said to be built under early Perlis ruler, Raja Syed Ahmad Jamalullail. Most of its building original four wall material were replaced with current cement and bricks. It is interesting to note that the kitchen ingredient such as egg white , honey and sugar were used instead of cement which was not available during that time. Built near Sungai Arau, 'jema'ah'  would carry buckets of water from the river to the mosque for ablution and for other necessary usage.

New face on the same location

The functionality of the masjid;

    Not many information I could share it here regarding its purposes other than as a convergence point of the community to pray. Usually a mosque functioned more than that depending on the importance of the place. Some mosques were the epitome of learning centers for all walks of life, attracting people as far as from different continents to come and learn. At the same time, well known scholars and imams, be it local and foreigners, with their honorable duties of conveying knowledge and teaching through Islamic tenets, gathered here to share and spread the knowledge. Perhaps, because of that, to commemorate the significant of such function , this mosque is converted to Center of Sunnah in 2017.

The tombs and the masjid;

Several distinguished tombs behind Masjid Lama Arau

     The significance of the mosque can be seen on a type of cemetery located nearby. There are few old mosques that I have visited displayed such proof behind the continuation of its functionality and significance to the community. Historically like Masjid Qariah, Linggi Negeri Sembilan, which was built in 1884M, had famous Imam Syeikh Haji Jamaluddin Syeikh Haji Idris grave,located nearby the masjid which I believed was one the Imams there. Hence, for this masjid, with Arau Royal Mausoleum located beside this cemetery, it was not impossible to say that perhaps the tombs shown in pictures below belong to an old family of current Perlis ruler.

There are roughly 9 tombs with stupa like roof

Siamese element ;

   Before Bangkok Treaty in 1909, Perlis like Kedah, was under Siamese protectorate which required for Perlis rulers to send annually the gold and silver flowers to Siam king.The continuation of sovereignty of Perlis and Kedah was partly due to the royal tribute to Siamese Royal House, hence, ensuring the existence of the state.

It is of no wonder, out of diplomatic relationship between Perlis and Siam along with the appointment of the first official ruler of Perlis by Siamese kingdom that somehow influence the erection of these tombs in such manner, which emphasize the Siamese influence in their lives. The distinguish design somehow reflect the status of the deceased from the surrounding common graves.

Close up view on one of the tombs

Some of the grave stones were too old to notice any written date and name of the deceased except for a few. One of them is shown below , which indicate that he or she belonged to Jamalullail family. It is unsure how old are the tombs here, but from the design that has strong Siamese element, I suspected the tombs are at least 100 to 150 years old.

Written on the stones
'Almarhum Syed Harun Syed Ahmad Jamalullail'