Most Remote Mosque
Masjid Darul Iman at Kampung Busang in Belaga is the most remote mosque in Sarawak being 380km form Kapit town. It was built in 1979 by the local people with funds collected from the villagers. The mosque can accommodate up to 100 people, especially the Muslim converts in Kampung Long Busang which comprises Kenyah and Badang. The structure of this mosque is simple and looks like an ordinary house with a small dome in the middle of its roof. Apart from being a house of worship, the mosque is a place to learn Fardu Ain and to hold religious talks and seminars.
Largest Mosque in Sarawak
The Masjid Jamek Negeri Sarawak located in an area of 100 acres in Petra Jaya, Kuching, is the largest mosque in Sarawak. It can accommodate 14,000 people at one time. The main prayer hall holds 8,000 people, while its long corridor houses 6,000 more. The first air conditioned mosque in the country, it has lecture halls and audio rooms and the highest minaret in Sarawak. Its large doom symbolizes the Greatness of God Almighty, and 40 smaller domes represent the age of Prophet Muhammad when he first received wahyu or revelations through visions from Allah.
The first phase of construction which began in January 1987 was completed in September 1990. The second phase started on 11 April 1995 and ended in May 1997. The RM71.8 million Masjid Jamek was officially opened by Yang Dipertua Negeri Sarawak, Tun Datuk Patinggi (Dr.) Haji Ahmad Zaidi Adruce Mohamed Noor, on 5 October 1990 (for phase one) and 8 May 1997 (phase two) respectively.
First Grand Mosque
Masjid Besar Pertama (the first Grand Mosque) of Sarawak was built atop the hill near Sarawak River where the Masjid Bahagian Kuching now stands. This mosque was built under the initiative of Datu Patinggi Ali’s family, especially his son Datu Bandar Mohammad Lana who started collecting funds for the mosque in 1848. It took him four years to raise enough money to finally erect the wooden house in 1852.
First Mufti
Abang Haji Nawawi bin Abang Haji Marais was the first mufti for Sarawak from 1941 to 1954. Born in Kampung Masjid Kuching, he studied at Mecca al Mukarramah. On his return to Kuching when he was in his 20s, he was made the village head of Kampung Masjid. He was also appointed as imam and khatib at Masjid Negeri in Kuching before becoming a member of the State Council in 1924.
The Longest Serving Mufti
Datuk Haji Abdul Kadir Hassan was appointed the third Mufti of Sarawak on 15 March 1971 and held the post until he passed away on 15 January 1988. Born on 16 August 1928 in Kampung No.6 in Kuching, he had his early education at Sekolah Merpati Jepang in 1936. He attended English classes in 1940 to 1942 and started religious studies at Al-Madrasatul Islamiah Kuching in 1945. He furthered his studies in Singapore in 1956 and at Kolej Islam Malaya in Selangor in 1957. He became involved in politics and stood as a candidate in the 1969 State election.
First Yang Dipertua of Majlis Islam Sarawak
Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg bin Abang Sapi’ee was the first Yang Dipertua Majlis Islam Sarawak in 1956 until 15 September 1963. After Sarawak gained independence and formed Malaysia on 16 September 1963, he was appointed as the Sarawak Governor. Born on 7 October 1905 in Kuching, he attended Sekolah Melayu Kerajaan Kuching, St Anthony, Sarikei and St. Thomas, Kuching. He served in various government departments as State Council member, senior native officer, district officer in Kuching during the Japanese occupation until 1945. He died on 28 March 1969 at Astana Kuching.
First Islamic Non-Governmental Organisation
Persatuan Kebajikan Islam Sarawak (PERKIS) was formed on 18 December 1957 with headquarters at No.9 India Street in Kuching. It is the first non-governmental organisation formed in Sarawak. Its objectives were: to enhance the teaching of Islam, promote Islamic brotherhood, unity, education and learning process through charity and dakwah. Its first president was Tuan Haji Abdullah Baki (1957-1978) while its secretary was Tuan Haji Attaelah Zainuddin (1957-1992).
First Religious School
Al-Madrasatul Islamiah located at No.31, Gambier Road Kuching was the first religious school established in Sarawak. Established by the Lembaga Amanah Kebajikan Masjid India in 1939, it was opened by Datuk Patinggi Haji Abdillah on 9 September 1940. The school has produced scholars and Muslim leaders such as the late Datuk Haji Abdul Kadir Hassan (Sarawak Mufti who passed away in 1988), Dato Haji Anis Abot (Yang Dipertua Majlis Islam Sarawak), Datuk Haji Mohd Mortadza Haji Daud (Sarawak Mufti), Ustaz Haji Sam Ojeh (Syariah Chief Justice) and the former Syariah Chief Justice Ustaz Haji Awang Pon Awang Sebon.
First Islamic Museum in Sarawak
The first Islamic Museum in Sarawak and Malaysia is located at Jalan P. Ramlee, Kuching. Officially opened by the Sarawak Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud on 22 May 1992 (19 Zulkaedah, 1412H), the museum building used to be the first Malay medium school known as James Brooke Malay College built in 1930 and also known as Madrasah Melayu.
A complete renovation of the building took place in 1991. There are now seven exhibition halls in this museum namely Gallery 1: The Coming of Islam to Sarawak; Gallery 2: Islamic Architecture; Gallery 3: Science and Technology; Gallery 4: Music, Costumes and Jewellery; Gallery 5: Weaponary; Gallery 6: Interior Decoration and Domestic Needs and Gallery 7: Al-Quran Corner.
(To be continued)
