Kampung Kling Mosque

18th-century mosque with a pagoda-style minaret — Islam adapted to Southeast Asian form

One of the oldest mosques in Malaysia, sitting in the multicultural heart of Melaka's old town. Its most distinctive feature is the minaret, which is shaped like a Chinese or Sumatran pagoda rather than the conventional Islamic tower. The three-tiered pyramid roof of the main prayer hall is equally unusual. The interior has Corinthian columns — probably salvaged from Portuguese sources — adding another layer to the architectural mix.

The mosque is in a section of the old city where a mosque, a Hindu temple, and the Cheng Hoon Teng Buddhist temple stand within metres of each other — an unusually visible expression of Melaka's multi-religious history. Non-Muslims are generally welcome outside prayer times; modest dress is required.

things to do landmark
A story
The mosque's minaret was built in the form of a Sumatran pagoda — not a Middle Eastern minaret — because when it was constructed in the 18th century, the builders drew on the local architectural tradition rather than importing a foreign one. The result is one of the most distinctive mosques in Malaysia.